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Common Causes of Alaskan Car Accidents

Law Office of Jason Skala April 12, 2022

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were a total of 6.7 million traffic accidents that occurred in the United States in 2018 that injured more than 2.7 million people. Of those accidents, approximately 36,000 people lost their lives. A number of these accidents occurred in Alaska, where driving is no simple task.

In the event that you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Anchorage or another city in Alaska, contacting an Anchorage personal injury attorney may be the next step to take in order to ensure that your legal rights as an injured crash victim are protected.

Alaska’s climate creates difficult road conditions at various times throughout the year. Information provided by the Alaska Department of Transportation states that less than half, or about 31% of Alaskan roadways are paved. Some causes of car accidents are more common than others, and some crashes are more likely to turn fatal. Continue reading to learn which car accident causes are most likely to result in serious injuries, and which are most prevalent in the Last Frontier.

Speeding-Related Collisions

The NHTSA states that in 2016, 84 people lost their lives due to fatal Alaska car crashes. Of these 84 individuals, a total of 36 of them were killed due to speeding-related instances. This is equal to approximately 43% of the traffic fatalities in Alaska in 2016 were the result of speeding.

These fatalities related to speeding mostly occurred on Saturdays, and during the months of June, August, and October. Additionally, fatalities related to speeding in Alaska in 2016 occurred most often in the evening and early morning hours, mostly between 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Also according to the NHTSA, from 2011-2015, specific vehicles were more likely to become involved in speeding-related collisions in Alaska. The most likely vehicle to be involved in a car accident caused by speeding was a pickup truck, at 27.5%. Next in line were passenger vehicles at approximately 25%, followed by SUVs at 19%. Motorcycles and snowmobiles along with other ATVs were tied at 11%. Lastly, at 2%, vans and commercial vehicles were tied.

Age as well as gender also play factors in speeding-related crashes. From 2011-2015, in Alaska, men were more likely than women to become involved in a speeding-related wreck. However, males aged 25-34 were twice as likely to become involved in a speeding crash than those aged 21-24.

In conclusion, the data states that speeding is the most common cause of traffic accidents to occur in Alaska.

Alcohol Impairment

The second most prevalent cause of car crashes in the Last Frontier is intoxication, specifically, alcohol. In 2018, there were a total of 80 fatalities related to traffic accidents in Alaska, 29 of them related to alcohol impairment. This is equal to approximately 36.25% of the fatality rate being attributed to drunk driving.

Intoxicated driving-related fatalities occurred most often at night, from 9:00 p.m. to about 3:00 a.m. Fatal car accidents in Anchorage involved the highest rate of drunk drivers, at 21 deaths in 2018. Matanuska-Susitna was the region with the next highest alcohol-related fatality rate, with 13 deaths.

Preventable Fatalities

The most alarming detail about car accidents in Alaska is that a vast majority of them are preventable in nature. Driver negligence, on the part of one or more drivers, usually plays a large part in most accidents that cause injury. If you or someone you love has been injured in an Alaskan car accident that was the result of speeding, intoxication, or any other form of negligence, the Law Office of Jason Skala may be able to assist you in collecting financial compensation for your injuries and incurred losses.

Depending on the circumstances of your crash, you could be entitled to significant financial compensation. No one should ever have to suffer due to another person’s careless, reckless, or negligent actions, which is why we are here to help. Jason Skala is an accomplished Anchorage personal injury lawyer with years of experience who works diligently to ensure that his clients get the most compensation for their injuries and losses. Contact our law firm today by clicking the link or calling us in order to speak with an attorney about your injury accident.