When you’re injured in an accident, you’ll quickly encounter legal and insurance terms that may be unfamiliar. Understanding what these terms mean can help you make informed decisions, communicate more effectively with your attorney and insurance company, and better understand your legal rights under Alaska law.

This series explains the legal terms most commonly used in Alaska personal injury, wrongful death, insurance, and maritime injury claims. We explain every legal term in plain English and cite the applicable Alaska statute whenever state law applies.

Before exploring the glossary, it’s helpful to understand three important principles of Alaska personal injury law:

• Alaska law generally requires you to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit within two years. (AS 09.10.070; AS 09.55.580)
• Alaska follows a pure comparative fault system. Alaska’s pure comparative fault law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident, although your percentage of fault reduces your recovery. (AS 09.17.060)
• Alaska limits certain noneconomic and punitive damages. However, economic damages—such as medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and future financial losses—are generally not capped. (AS 09.17.010; AS 09.17.020)

To make these concepts easier to understand, this glossary is organized into five topic-specific guides:

1. Alaska Personal Injury Basics

General information on the fundamental legal concepts that form the foundation of nearly every injury claim, including negligence, liability, duty of care, causation, comparative fault, statutes of limitation, settlements, and lawsuits.

2. Alaska Damages And Compensation Explained

Understand the different types of compensation available after an injury, including economic damages, noneconomic damages, punitive damages, pain and suffering, lost wages, future medical expenses, and wrongful death damages.

3. Alaska Personal Injury Insurance And Claims Glossary

Become familiar with the insurance terms commonly used during an Alaska injury claim, including liability coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), Medical Payments (MedPay), policy limits, subrogation, bad faith, demand letters, and recorded statements.

4. Alaska Court And Litigation Terms

Information about the legal procedures used during a personal injury lawsuit, including complaints, discovery, depositions, mediation, arbitration, expert witnesses, verdicts, judgments, and appeals.

5. Alaska Maritime Injury Terms

Explore the specialized terminology used in Alaska’s commercial fishing, maritime, aviation, and other complex injury cases, including the Jones Act, maintenance and cure, unseaworthiness, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and admiralty law.

Together, these guides provide a practical reference for understanding the legal language you may encounter after an accident in Alaska. Use this glossary series to understand Alaska personal injury law, evaluate your legal options, prepare to speak with an attorney, and navigate the claims process with confidence.

6. Alaska Aviation Accident Claims

Alaska aviation accident claims can involve complex legal and regulatory issues. Depending on the circumstances, these claims may involve pilot negligence, aircraft defects, FAA rules, NTSB investigations, operator responsibility, and liability. Understanding these key legal terms can help injured passengers, pilots, crew members, and families better understand the legal issues and potential sources of compensation after an Alaska aviation accident.

Learn key legal terms involving pilot negligence, aircraft defects, FAA rules, NTSB investigations, and liability.

Disclaimer: This glossary series provides general educational information about Alaska personal injury law. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every injury claim is different, so you should consult a qualified Alaska attorney for advice about your specific situation.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping injured Alaskans and those injured while visiting Alaska for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image generated using ChatGPT – Prompt: Doug Johnson meeting with an Alaska Personal Injury Client In Johnson Law’s Anchorage Offices

In addition, many roads throughout the state present unique challenges. Alaskan roads, including the Sterling Highway and Seward Highway, present risks at higher levels.

Fall Into Winter Visibility

Before driving, check all exterior lights on your vehicle. Ensure windshield wipers are in good condition and your car is properly maintained. As Alaska rolls from fall into winter, we often travel in darker conditions with less hours of sunlight this time of year.  With the sun lower in the sky, the intense glare often obscures our vision in the mornings and afternoons. Always drive with sunglasses handy.

Prepare Your Car For Winter Before Holiday Travel

Vigilance and general maintenance greatly reduces the odds of breaking down as Alaskans go from fall into winter, having an accident or some other unwanted event while driving. Before driving, check windshield washer fluid, clean windows (inside and out), and properly adjust those mirrors.  In addition to annual maintenance, here are some tips to winterize your car for increased Alaska Road Safety:

• Test the battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops;
• Make sure the cooling system is in good working order;
• As we move from fall into winter, tires with a deeper, more flexible tread are critical;
• If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch for greater Alaska Road Safety;
• Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops;
• Check wiper blades and replace if needed;
• Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees;
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze this is especially important as we go from fall into winter; and
• Keep your car’s emergency preparedness kit fully stocked.

Awareness and preparation increases Alaska Road Safety. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your motor vehicle crash injury case. We are here to serve you. Johnson Law has been helping injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Source: National Safety Council

Image Source: The Alaska Frontier