Personal Injury Lawyer in Eagle River Alaska

Car accidents can leave you in a difficult position financially and physically. As you struggle to figure out how to move forward, our Eagle River Alaska personal injury lawyer can intervene and provide valuable advice and direction to get you beyond the chaos that is the aftermath of an accident. They will provide compassionate service, answer your questions and handle your claim on your behalf.

Farnsworth & Vance act quickly to secure compensation that will provide you with much-needed relief. We also help ensure that the driver responsible is held accountable for their actions so you can get the justice you seek. An Anchorage personal injury lawyer handles all the complexities of car accident claims so your priority can be recovering from your injuries and minimizing your stress.

The Challenges of Driving in Alaska

When Alaskan weather conditions are coupled with other forms of negligence, the threat to motorists is exacerbated. Driver fatigue, speeding, distractions, and intoxication are just a few of the factors that can contribute to the cause of accidents. They can also cause serious injuries that could include broken bones, head, neck, and spine injuries, organ damage, and so much more. However, many of these accidents could be prevented with more caution.

Determining Liability in a Car Accident Claim in Eagle River, AK

Negligence is a major factor in most accidents, and can lead to serious injury and damage. When another motorist does not take the proper precautions, they could be held liable for their actions. Given the central role negligence plays in an accident, it is also the focal point of the claim process. Before compensation is distributed, fault must be demonstrated. The burden of proof is on you and your lawyer to show that your losses were indeed caused by someone else. To establish that the other driver was at-fault for the accident, you must first show the following:

Duty of care: The other driver was obligated to drive safely and avoid causing harm.
Breach of duty: The other driver behaved in a way that violated their responsibility to you and others.
Causation: Their actions were the cause of the accident, and your injuries and losses were the direct effect of their carelessness.
Damages: As a liable party, the other driver is responsible for paying for your damages.

In some circumstances, determining liability may not be straightforward. This is especially true where truck accidents are concerned, as there are multiple parties involved. There may also be times when you are found to be minimally at fault for the accident. Regardless of the situation, each party’s role in the accident is assessed and they are assigned a percentage to represent their contribution. All parties are eligible to recover compensation after an accident, but the amount of their settlement will be reduced in proportion to their level of fault, according to AS 09.17.060. It is important to talk with your lawyer about the circumstances of your case so you end up being liable for as little as possible.

A Lawyer Can Skillfully Guide You Through the Legal Process

With so many legal requirements and potential challenges involved in resolving a car accident, hiring car accident attorneys is essential. A lawyer can get you a much higher settlement than you would be able to get if you proceeded with your case alone. They are also your ally during a difficult time, providing support and resources so you can get the care you need.

When they take on your case, your lawyer will listen to your situation and discuss your options with you to determine an effective path forward. They will research applicable laws and similar cases, investigate the accident, and compile additional evidence if needed, all so you will have a strong claim. These findings will be used to tailor their approach and chosen strategies to your unique set of circumstances in order to secure a favorable outcome. Whether your lawyer will be going up against the insurance company, opposing parties, or going to trial, they will fight for you relentlessly and aggressively.

Other Types of Accidents a Lawyer Can Help You Navigate

Car accidents are not the only type of vehicle collision that occur in Eagle River, AK. At Farnsworth & Vance, we can also represent you if you have been involved in any of these other types of vehicle accidents:

The Challenge of Dealing with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies is one of the primary challenges you are likely to run into when filing an accident claim. Insurance companies use a number of strategies to avoid paying you any more than they have to. Even though they are supposed to provide compensation when issues arise, they do not actually care about your wellbeing. To ensure you receive compensation from the insurance company, it is essential that you are aware of their tactics, which can include:

Providing settlement offers that are as low as possible
Delaying payment in hopes that you will give up on your claim
Using a technicality to deny your claim altogether
Placing blame on you for one reason or another
Trying to close your claim out before you know the extent of your losses

For many accident victims, these tactics can be frustrating, cause them to second-guess the validity of their claim, and leave them without options for countermeasures. This is where car accident lawyers in Eagle River, AK can really shine — especially ones who know the ins-and-outs of insurance company strategies. They will demand that insurance companies do better and pay you a fair settlement. Your lawyer will also be able to combat the insurance company’s efforts to use technicalities against you. Having legal representation on your side will also ensure that your rights are protected and that you are not taken advantage of while you are already vulnerable.

Taking Action Now Can Save You Time Later

Car accidents are overwhelming and there is a lot that needs your attention all at once. Making sure you do not miss a vital step is critical to the outcome of your case and your physical health. It can also minimize insurance challenges. While the actions you need to take may feel extensive, they are all like pieces of a puzzle that fit together to attain a larger goal. The steps below are designed to guide you through the initial process so you can have a strong claim:

Allow a doctor to examine your injuries: Always have a medical professional assess and treat your injuries after an accident. A more serious condition could be hiding beneath the surface and a prompt response can ensure your safety. Keep all test results and medical bills to use as evidence in your claim. Do not refuse treatment or it could negatively affect your claim.
File a police report: A police report is an official document that insurance adjusters and lawyers review to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. You should request that one be filed after an accident detailing the collision. Do not forget to obtain a copy for your records.
Exchange information: You must exchange information after a car crash as outlined in A.S. § 28.35.060. You are legally obligated to provide each other with your names, addresses, and registration number. You should also swap insurance information to make the claim process easier.
Take photos of the accident: Photos and videos ensure that you have ample evidence for a strong claim. You should photograph your injuries, as well as the damage to your vehicle, the accident site overall, and any debris or evidence in the surrounding areas that provide additional context to the accident. If any witnesses were present at the time of the accident, see if you can get a statement from them.
Avoid talking about the accident: The less you say after an accident, the better. Apologizing, admitting fault, discussing the events with the other driver, or social media activity can all hurt your claim and prevent you from securing compensation. Insurance companies will often use these factors to deny claims.
Hire an auto accident attorney in Anchorage, AK: A lawyer can communicate and negotiate on your behalf so you and your claim are protected, and have an increased likelihood of positive results. They can also help you navigate legal logistics and case complexities.
Submit your claim: Once all the initial steps are completed, it is time to begin the process of recovering compensation. Your lawyer can ensure your insurance claim or personal injury claim is filed correctly and on time. They will also fight to get you the highest settlement or verdict possible.

Talk to our Personal Injury Lawyer in Eagle River, AK to Recover Compensation for Your Losses

Before filing a claim to recover your losses, you should hire a lawyer and discuss the value of your case. Settlement amounts change from case-to-case depending on the specific circumstances of the individual. To ascertain how much your losses are worth, a lawyer should review your case and identify and calculate your losses to determine an estimate of what you will need. They will negotiate on your behalf and work to get you as much as possible in your case. Your losses are likely to fall into two different categories that include:

Economic damages will take the value of your monetary losses to determine how much compensation you can receive in this category. Economic damages typically are for expenses that have accrued because of the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
Non-economic damages will assign a monetary value to your pain and suffering and provide compensation to offset these losses. This type of compensation is designed to provide restitution to ease your mental and emotional distress, as well as loss of companionship, consortium, enjoyment, and quality of life.

Compensation cannot reverse what you have gone through, and it does not provide an instant fix, but its purpose is to help you get back to a state of wholeness as much as possible.

The Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Eagle River, AK

Car accident claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations as outlined in AS 09.10.070. The allotted time starts counting down from the moment the accident begins, so it is important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you can recover compensation.

Hiring a Lawyer is Not Out of Reach

Retaining legal services after a car accident is often much more accessible than most people think. Personal injury lawyers generally operate off of a contingency fee model so you do not have to pay anything directly out of your pocket. Your lawyer will only deduct fees if they win your case and you receive a settlement.

This allows you to receive valuable help when you are at your greatest need. Contingency fees also foster alignment between you and your lawyer, so you can trust they will be aligned to your goals and relentlessly fight for you

Farnsworth & Vance Are Ready to Fight for You

Farnsworth & Vance are committed to helping you when you have been injured in an accident in Eagle River, AK. We are your allies and your advocates so you can get the results you need to begin to put this experience behind you. We handle all the legal aspects of your case and connect you with the resources that will help you heal. Reach out to our team today and schedule your free consultation online.