Who pays personal injury claims in an Alaska car accident?

Who pays personal injury claims in an Alaska car accident?

After an accident in Alaska, you don’t know who pays for your injuries. It is essential to understand the fault-based system and what options you have to be compensated.

An Alaska car accident attorney can help if you’re having trouble securing fair compensation and can guide you through insurance negotiations and protect your rights.

At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

Alaska is a fault system, meaning if you were the person responsible for the accident, you are the one who pays personal injury claims. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance usually does this. This coverage covers medical costs, lost wages, and any other damages the injured party may suffer.

Alaska has minimum liability insurance limits of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury. In addition, they need at least $25,000 in property damage. If the at-fault driver has enough insurance, their policy likely will cover your claims. But it can get complicated if their limits of coverage aren’t sufficient.

Your Insurance

Sometimes, the at-fault driver has too little or no insurance to cover your injuries. When this happens, you may find your policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is the answer.

Alaska law mandates that insurance companies provide UM/UIM coverage equal to your liability limits, but you can decline that coverage in writing. UM/UIM pays for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs when the responsible party cannot do so if you’ve retained it.

This type of coverage is significant if it’s a hit-and-run accident or when the driver has minimum insurance limits. It is a safety net, so you aren’t left with the financial responsibility alone.

Personal Assets of the At-Fault Driver

You can sue the at-fault driver personally if his insurance policy doesn’t cover all your expenses. A personal injury lawsuit enables you to sue them for claiming their assets.

However, this is not without its challenges. Collecting your award may be difficult if the at-fault driver has little or no money or files for bankruptcy. If you have an experienced car accident lawyer in Alaska, they can tell you if filing a lawsuit in your case makes sense.

PIP Coverage

Alaska does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP), but it is available as an optional coverage from many insurers. PIP will help cover your medical bills no matter who caused the accident if you have bought it.

If immediate financial relief for hospital visits, physical therapy, or other healthcare needs is what you’re looking for, this coverage can be invaluable. But unlike UM/UIM, PIP doesn’t generally cover lost wages or pain and suffering.

Government or Municipality

There are some situations where the government is financially responsible for your injury. For instance, if your accident involved a government-owned vehicle or the bad roads were the cause of the accident, you could file a claim against the responsible agency.

Remember that when you file a claim against a government entity, there are specific rules and shorter deadlines. For example, if you want to file a claim, you may have to give notice no more than 120 days after the accident. You’re more likely to succeed if you work with an attorney who knows how to work these procedures.

Other Responsible Parties

Liability isn’t always on the drivers involved. There are times when third parties are involved in an accident. For example, the manufacturer is responsible if a faulty car part is responsible for the crash. If the at-fault driver was on the job when the accident happened, their employer may be held accountable for making claims.

These cases are complex, and liability can be determined. A car accident attorney can help you decide who else is responsible and ensure you pursue every possible avenue to compensation.

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