Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Anchorage, Alaska
The firms in this guide
- Kelley & Canterbury LLC Call Kelley & Canterbury LLC: (888) 639-4817
- Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers Call Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers: (907) 290-8980
- Law Office of Jason Skala, LLC Call Law Office of Jason Skala, LLC: (907) 272-5254
- Barber & Associates LLC Call Barber & Associates LLC: (907) 276-5700
- Pentlarge Law Group, LLC Call Pentlarge Law Group, LLC: (907) 276-1919
1. Kelley & Canterbury LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo spill accidents, highway accidents on Seward Highway and Sterling Highway
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, vicarious liability claims
Background: The firm has been advocating for Alaskans since 1975. Chris Canterbury and Michaela Kelley are the firm’s principal attorneys. The firm represents injured truck accident victims and families who have lost loved ones in crashes throughout the south central region of Alaska. The firm is family-owned and understands the challenges unique to Alaska’s road conditions and weather.
Location: 3301 C Street, Suite 104, Anchorage, AK 99503
Contact: (888) 639-4817 | https://www.kelleyandcanterbury.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.
2. Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, driver error accidents, equipment failure accidents, accidents on Seward Highway, Sterling Highway, Glenn Highway, and Parks Highway
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, duty of care analysis, breach of duty investigation, causation establishment, damages calculation
Background: The firm serves clients throughout Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage and the Gulf Coast Region. The attorneys have extensive experience determining the source of liability in truck accident cases and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Location: 4300 B Street, Suite 402, Anchorage, AK 99503
Contact: (907) 290-8980 | https://www.injuryak.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee structure with no payment unless the firm wins the case.
3. Law Office of Jason Skala, LLC
Practice Focus: Commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, oil field accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions
Case Types Handled: Driver error accidents, driver fatigue accidents, improperly loaded cargo accidents, equipment failure accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, hazardous materials accidents
Legal Services: Commercial truck litigation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, personal injury claims, pain and suffering calculation
Background: Jason Skala is a personal injury lawyer in Anchorage with over a decade of experience in successfully litigating truck accident claims. The firm specializes in personal injury, commercial truck litigation, and wrongful death claims. Attorney Skala understands Alaska’s unique terrain and weather conditions that contribute to truck accidents.
Location: 510 L Street, Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99501
Contact: (907) 272-5254 | https://www.907attorney.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm handles truck accident cases throughout Alaska.
4. Barber & Associates LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, driver error accidents, wildlife collision accidents, icy road accidents, winter driving accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, brain injury claims, dog bite claims, slip and fall claims related to commercial properties
Background: The firm represents individuals against corporations and insurance companies in Alaska. The firm has decades of experience helping accident victims obtain compensation for their injuries. Notable results include compensation for brain injury from auto collision and other significant settlements.
Location: 3900 Arctic Blvd, Suite 102, Anchorage, AK 99503
Contact: (907) 276-5700 | https://alaskainjury.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. The firm serves clients throughout Alaska.
5. Pentlarge Law Group, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, slip and fall accidents, ice-related accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, salary compensation claims
Background: The firm has been serving Alaskans since 1985 and is devoted to helping injured Alaskans. The firm has helped thousands of Alaskans and their families recover from personal injuries including truck driving accidents. The attorneys are experienced in handling uninsured and underinsured motorist cases.
Location: 900 West 5th Avenue, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501
Contact: (907) 276-1919 | https://www.pentlargelaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. No fees unless the firm wins the case.
Federal Carrier Rules and Alaska Damages Law in Anchorage Truck Claims
When a commercial truck causes a crash in Anchorage, federal motor carrier regulations set the duties of the carrier and driver, while Alaska statutes decide how fault is split among everyone involved and how much can be awarded for pain and suffering.
Insurance and Proof of Coverage
49 CFR § 387.9 sets a $750,000 minimum for for-hire carriers hauling nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in vehicles rated at 10,001 pounds or more, with higher minimums of $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 for listed oil and hazardous cargo. Under § 387.7, a carrier may not operate until that coverage is in effect, and the proof of coverage (an MCS-90 endorsement, an MCS-82 surety bond or FMCSA self-insurance authorization) is public information that must be produced on reasonable request.
Inspection, Repair and Maintenance Records
49 CFR § 396.3 requires every motor carrier to systematically inspect, repair and maintain the vehicles under its control and to keep, for each vehicle, an identification record, the nature and due dates of inspection and maintenance, and a record of inspections, repairs and maintenance with their dates. Those records must be retained for one year where the vehicle is housed or maintained, and for six months after the vehicle leaves the carrier’s control.
How Alaska Divides Fault and Limits Damages
Under AS 09.17.060, the injured person’s own contributory fault reduces compensatory damages proportionately but does not bar recovery. AS 09.17.080 has the jury assign a percentage of fault to each party and other responsible person, including a driver, a carrier or a person who has settled, and judgment is entered against each liable party on the basis of several liability by that percentage. AS 09.17.010 limits noneconomic damages to the greater of $400,000 or life expectancy in years times $8,000, rising to the greater of $1,000,000 or life expectancy times $25,000 for severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement. An action for personal injury or death must be commenced within two years of accrual under AS 09.10.070(a).
Anchorage Truck Accident Questions
Is the truck driver tested after a crash?
Yes, after listed crashes. Under 49 CFR § 382.303, the carrier must test each surviving driver for alcohol and controlled substances as soon as practicable after a crash involving a death. After a crash with an injury treated immediately away from the scene, or with a vehicle towed away because of disabling damage, testing is required when the truck driver receives a citation for a moving traffic violation arising from the crash, within 8 hours for the alcohol test or 32 hours for the drug test. Attempts at alcohol testing stop at 8 hours and at drug testing at 32 hours, with a record of the reasons.
What alcohol level is prohibited for a truck driver on duty?
49 CFR § 382.201 bars a covered driver from reporting for or remaining on duty requiring safety-sensitive functions with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, and bars an employer who knows of it from letting the driver continue.
If I was 60 percent at fault, can I still recover from the trucking company?
Yes, under AS 09.17.060 your recovery is reduced, not barred. For example, imagine $200,000 in damages with 60 percent of the fault assigned to you: the reduced amount would be $80,000, and under AS 09.17.080 each liable defendant pays according to its own percentage of fault.
Who can bring a claim if a family member died?
The personal representative brings the action under AS 09.55.580 within two years after the death, and the recovery is for the spouse and children or other dependents.