Truck Accident Attorneys in Anchorage, Alaska

January 1, 2026 / Comments Off

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

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.

Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Alaska

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Alaska Statute § 9.10.070(a) provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accident cases. The deadline typically begins on the date of the injury. The discovery rule may apply in cases where the injury was not immediately apparent, potentially extending the deadline from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Alaska law.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Under Alaska Statute § 9.55.580(a), wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death.

Insurance System: Alaska is a “fault” state for auto insurance. The person responsible for causing an accident is also responsible for resulting injuries and damages. Injured parties can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, their own insurance company, or pursue litigation.

Comparative Negligence Rule: Alaska follows a “pure” comparative negligence rule. Under this system, an injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. The damages awarded are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the plaintiff is 30% at fault, they can recover $70,000. Unlike some states, Alaska does not bar recovery even if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault, although high percentages of fault significantly reduce recovery.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Alaska law requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. Proof of insurance must be shown when involved in an auto accident.

Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight. Trucks transporting hazardous materials require higher coverage amounts.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Alaska courts apply FMCSA regulations in truck accident litigation. Trucking companies operating interstate are required to comply with federal hours of service rules, driver qualification standards, vehicle maintenance requirements, and cargo securement regulations.

Vicarious Liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies in Alaska can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers while acting within the scope of employment. This doctrine is significant because the truck driver’s employer often has more substantial insurance coverage.

Damage Caps – Non-Economic Damages: Alaska imposes caps on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. For cases without severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, non-economic damages are capped at the greater of $400,000 or the injured person’s life expectancy in years multiplied by $8,000. For cases involving severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap is the greater of $1 million or the injured person’s life expectancy multiplied by $25,000.

Punitive Damages: Alaska allows punitive damages in cases involving outrageous conduct or reckless indifference under Alaska Statute § 9.17.020(b). Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence.

Weather and Road Conditions: Alaska’s unique terrain and weather conditions, including icy roads, limited visibility, and challenging highways like Seward Highway and Sterling Highway, create specific risks for truck accidents. These factors are often considered in determining negligence and liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Alaska’s statute of limitations for truck accident claims?

A1: Under Alaska Statute § 9.10.070(a), you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit for a truck accident. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death under Alaska Statute § 9.55.580(a). If you fail to file within these deadlines, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. There are limited exceptions, such as the “discovery rule” that may apply if your injury was not immediately apparent, or if you were a minor or mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident. Given these strict deadlines, consulting with an attorney promptly after a truck accident is essential.

Q2: How does Alaska’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident claim?

A2: Alaska follows a “pure” comparative negligence rule, which is favorable to plaintiffs compared to many other states. Under this system, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the truck accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found to be 40% at fault, you would receive $120,000. Importantly, Alaska does not bar recovery even if you are more than 50% at fault, though your recovery would be significantly reduced. This differs from states with “modified” comparative negligence rules that completely bar recovery above certain fault thresholds.

Q3: Are there caps on damages in Alaska truck accident cases?

A3: Yes, Alaska imposes caps on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. For cases without severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) are capped at the greater of $400,000 or your life expectancy in years multiplied by $8,000. For cases involving severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, the cap increases to the greater of $1 million or your life expectancy multiplied by $25,000. Economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) are not capped. Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving outrageous conduct but require clear and convincing evidence.

Q4: Which parties can be held liable in an Alaska truck accident case?

A4: Multiple parties may be liable in an Alaska truck accident case. The truck driver can be held personally liable for their negligence. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior (vicarious liability), the trucking company that employs the driver is often held liable for accidents that occur while the driver is performing job duties. Other potentially liable parties include cargo loading companies if improperly loaded cargo contributed to the accident, maintenance companies if mechanical failures were due to negligent repairs, truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment was involved, and in some cases, parties responsible for road maintenance if hazardous road conditions played a role. Given Alaska’s challenging weather and road conditions, investigating all potential causes and defendants is particularly important.

Q5: What are common causes of truck accidents in Alaska, and how do they affect liability?

A5: Common causes of truck accidents in Alaska include driver fatigue from long hours on isolated highways, driver error including distracted driving and improper maneuvering, speeding or driving too fast for weather and road conditions, improper cargo loading or overloaded trucks, equipment failures such as brake problems or tire blowouts, and hazardous weather conditions including ice, snow, and limited visibility. Alaska’s unique geography means accidents frequently occur on highways like Seward Highway, Sterling Highway, Glenn Highway, and Parks Highway, which feature challenging terrain and limited services. When investigating liability, attorneys examine whether drivers and trucking companies followed FMCSA regulations regarding hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement, as violations can establish negligence. Weather-related accidents may still involve liability if drivers failed to adjust their driving for conditions or if the trucking company dispatched drivers into known dangerous conditions.