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Your Dillingham Personal Injury Attorney
Recovering from an injury is hard enough without legal confusion on top of it. If someone else’s carelessness hurt you in Dillingham, you are allowed to take your time understanding your options before you sign or say anything.
This page is general information, not legal advice. NeedAnAttorney.net matches people with attorneys and does not represent anyone. The legal points below come from Alaska’s statutes, and the form at the top of the page is how you reach an attorney.
What To Ask Before You Choose An Attorney In Dillingham
Bring these to your first call, whoever it is with:
- If you were partly to blame. Ask what happens to your award if a jury assigns you a percentage of fault (AS 09.17.060).
- The date. Ask for the specific last day to file in your case. The general rule is two years (AS 09.10.070(a)).
- The cap. Ask how Alaska’s limit on noneconomic damages would apply to your injuries (AS 09.17.010).
- The money terms. Ask how fees are calculated and which costs come out of a recovery.
- Who will work on it. Ask who handles your file day to day and how fast messages are answered.
Common Kinds of Injury Claims
Vehicle crashes
After a crash, see a doctor even if you feel fine, since some injuries show up later. Take photographs of the cars, the road and any injuries, get the other driver’s insurance details, and save every repair estimate.
Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
Walkers and cyclists hurt by a vehicle should write down the location, the time of day, the lighting and the signals as soon as they can. Witnesses who stopped are valuable, so ask for their contact details before they leave.
Falls and unsafe property
Wet floors, icy steps and broken railings cause injuries that turn on how long the hazard existed and who was responsible for it. Photograph the hazard as soon as you can and report the fall to whoever runs the property.
Wrongful death
When a death is caused by someone else’s wrongful act or neglect, the claim works differently from an injury claim. Alaska law lets the personal representative bring the action (AS 09.55.580(a)). This is a hard moment to decide anything, and an attorney can walk you through the steps without hurrying you.
Injured in Dillingham? Get matched with an attorney now.
Fault Shared Among Several People
Alaska is a pure comparative fault state. AS 09.17.060 says contributory fault chargeable to the claimant diminishes the compensatory damages in proportion to that fault, and it does not bar recovery. If a jury decided you were 40 percent at fault for a $100,000 loss, you would be awarded $60,000.
AS 09.17.080 covers cases with several people at fault. Fault is divided among everyone, including people who have already settled, and judgment against each defendant follows that defendant’s percentage rather than the whole amount.
The Statutory Limit on Noneconomic Damages
Alaska limits what a court can award for noneconomic loss, meaning pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium. Under AS 09.17.010, the usual ceiling for one injury or death is the greater of $400,000 or the injured person’s life expectancy in years multiplied by $8,000.
A higher ceiling applies in a personal injury action involving severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement: the greater of $1,000,000 or life expectancy in years multiplied by $25,000. Medical bills and lost wages are economic losses and fall outside these limits.
Filing Deadlines For Injury Claims
Most personal injury claims in Alaska must be filed in court within two years of when the claim accrued (AS 09.10.070(a)), and a wrongful death action within two years after the death (AS 09.55.580(a)). Missing the date usually ends the case, so ask any attorney to name the exact last day for yours.
Two exceptions are written into AS 09.10.140: time is excluded while a claimant is a minor or legally incompetent, and for a child under eight the years before the eighth birthday are not counted. Those exceptions are narrow.
Insurance Minimums in Alaska
The minimum liability limits for an Alaska owner’s policy are $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage (AS 28.20.440(b)). Those figures are floors, and a serious injury can cost more than the other driver’s policy pays.
That is why your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can become important. The statute calls for it at those same amounts, but an insured may reject it in writing under AS 28.20.445, so check what you chose.
The Courthouse in Dillingham
The Alaska Court System’s directory lists a court location in Dillingham, in the Third Judicial District, at 476 Emperor Way South. The Census Bureau places Dillingham in Dillingham Census Area.
Keep copies of everything the hospital or clinic gives you, ask for an itemized bill, and note each appointment as it happens. If you moved between facilities, collect the records from each one.
Where To Begin After An Injury In Dillingham
The form at the top of this page is the starting point. Once you send it, NeedAnAttorney.net matches you with an attorney who handles injury matters near Dillingham. It costs nothing to use and does not commit you to anything.
Until someone calls, make a simple record: what happened, the date and time, names of anyone who saw it, the treatment you have had, and the days you missed from work. Keep every bill and letter in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I speak with the other driver’s insurance company?
You are free to talk to them, but you are not required to give a recorded statement immediately. Saying that you want advice first is a reasonable answer.
Is there a fee for the form on this page?
No fee for the form. Many attorneys take injury cases on a contingency basis, so ask how it works and get the terms in writing.
Does it matter if my attorney knows the Dillingham area?
Local knowledge can help with scheduling, courts and medical providers. The form on this page connects you with an attorney who takes cases near Dillingham.
How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Alaska?
For most personal injury claims, two years from when the claim accrued (AS 09.10.070(a)). A wrongful death action must be commenced within two years after the death (AS 09.55.580(a)).
Does Alaska bar me from recovering if I share the blame?
No. Under AS 09.17.060 your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can still recover the rest.
Is there a cap on what I can recover for pain and suffering?
There is a statutory cap on noneconomic damages, the greater of $400,000 or $8,000 times the injured person’s life expectancy. Economic losses such as medical bills are not capped by it (AS 09.17.010).
How much insurance does the other driver have to have?
An owner’s policy that meets Alaska’s financial responsibility law must provide at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage (AS 28.20.440(b)).
What documents should I keep after an injury?
Medical records and bills, photographs, the police or incident report number, pay stubs showing missed work, repair estimates and every letter or email from an insurer.
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