The Seward Highway

The Seward Highway is one of America’s most beautiful, yet dangerous highways. Its winding, two-lane layout, unpredictable weather, and heavy tourist traffic create hazards for drivers. A 127-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road in Alaska, the Seward Highway connects Anchorage to the city of Seward via the Kenai Peninsula.

Dangers Of The Seward Highway

• Road layout: The Seward Highway is filled with sharp curves, steep grades, and areas of limited visibility, particularly along the Turnagain Arm where the road is squeezed between mountains and the ocean. In some places, there are steep drop-offs with no guardrails.
• Weather: Weather changes quickly and dramatically, even during summer months. Unexpected weather, freezing temperatures, ice, hail, and snow make driving the Seward Highway hazardous. In winter months, avalanches often close the highway for extended periods.
• Traffic: A popular tourist route, the Seward Highway sees heavy traffic during the summer, including large commercial trucks and RVs. Distracted drivers stopping to look at scenery or wildlife often congest traffic, causing accidents. Impatient drivers also cause head-on collisions while passing other vehicles.
• Wildlife: Encounters with animals such as moose, bears, and Dahl sheep are common, especially at dawn and dusk. Striking an animal may cause a serious accident and injuries.
• Natural hazards: Rockfalls and ice near areas like Beluga Point pose serious threats for drivers.

Safety Tips For Alaska’s Drivers

• Watch for wildlife: Slow down and be vigilant in areas with wildlife crossing signs, especially while driving in the dawn and dusk hours. 
• Be patient: Avoid passing slower vehicles along the Seward Highway, especially on blind curves. Only stop using designated pull-outs.
• Stay alert: Pay close attention to the road, maintain awareness of your surroundings, and avoid distractions
• Check conditions in advance: Always check the latest road and weather conditions along the Seward Highway via the 511.alaska.gov traveler information system before you leave.
• Be prepared: Consider carrying extra water, blankets, and gas, especially during winter travel.

Consult An Alaska Personal Injury Attorney After An Accident

After a serious auto accident on the Seward Highway, some insurance adjusters will make a policy limits settlement offer but only under one layer of coverage, when multiple layers may be available. I have found this to be true in too many situations. Clients approach me to discuss initial policy limits settlement offers. When, in reality, a thorough facts and insurance policy review, reveals additional coverage and better financial recovery for the victims and their families.

Another consideration, semi-trucks involvement in Seward Highway accidents, may open up product liability and/or maintenance liability claims associated with the truck or its manufacturer. This claims expose additional sources of compensation for victims and families of those injured in vehicle collisions.

If you are considering a serious injury claim after a Seward Highway accident, speak to the experienced Alaska personal injury attorneys at Johnson Law, P.C. We know Alaska and Alaskan Law.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a Seward Highway auto accident, do not hesitate to contact Johnson Law for a free case evaluation and find out how we can help. Johnson Law has been serving Alaska auto injury victims for 30 years. It’s who we are.

Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your serious injury case. We are here to serve you.

No matter where you’re driving this weekend, please drive safely this weekend

Image Source: Travel Alaska