Clear steps you can take in the first 24 hours, first week, and first month

An accident can flip your world upside down fast—especially in Anchorage, where winter road conditions, limited daylight, and high-speed corridors can turn “minor” incidents into serious injuries. If you’re dealing with medical appointments, missed work, and constant calls from insurance adjusters, it’s easy to feel like you’re always one step behind.

This guide lays out a grounded, Alaska-specific checklist to help you protect your health first and also preserve the documentation that often makes or breaks a personal injury claim. If you’d like one-on-one guidance, contact Jason Skala for a free consultation.

A quick note before the checklist
Every case is different. This page is educational—not legal advice. Timing matters in Alaska: many personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of when the claim accrues (with important exceptions). (codes.findlaw.com)

Step 1 (Right now): Safety, medical care, and basic documentation

1) Get medical help immediately. If you’re in danger or symptoms are severe, call 911. If it feels “manageable,” still consider urgent care or an ER—soft tissue injuries, concussions, and internal injuries can show up later.
2) If you can, take photos and video. Capture the scene, hazards (ice, poor lighting, broken steps, dog enclosure issues), vehicle positions, visible injuries, and any relevant signage. In Alaska, conditions can change quickly—snowfall and sanding can erase key evidence.
3) Collect names and contact info. Witnesses matter, especially when the other side later disputes what happened. Take a quick voice memo or notes while details are fresh.
4) Don’t “fill in the blanks.” If you’re unsure about speed, distances, or timing, don’t guess. Stick to what you know.

Step 2 (First 24 hours): Protect your claim without “lawyering up” your life

Keep a simple injury journal. Note pain levels, sleep issues, headaches, dizziness, work limitations, and anything you can’t do (driving, lifting kids, standing for a shift). Two minutes a day is enough.
Save receipts and proof of missed time. Mileage to medical appointments, prescriptions, braces/crutches, and documentation of missed work can become important damages later.
Be cautious with insurance calls. You can report the incident, but avoid recorded statements or signing authorizations until you understand what’s being requested.
Avoid posting details on social media. Even innocent posts (“Back at the gym”) can be taken out of context.

Step 3 (Anchorage-specific): Reporting a crash and obtaining reports

If your injury involves a motor vehicle collision, Alaska has specific reporting rules and forms. When a crash meets certain thresholds, drivers may need to submit a written or electronic report within 10 days (unless investigated by a peace officer). (dmv.alaska.gov)

Where people in Anchorage commonly get stuck
• “Do I file through APD or the State?” APD’s crash reporting page directs drivers to the State forms and notes the 10-day submission timeline. (anchoragepolice.com)
• “How do I get the collision report?” If the Alaska State Troopers investigated, you may need to request records through the Department of Public Safety’s public records process. (dps.alaska.gov)

Step 4 (First week): Build the “paper trail” that insurers look for

Insurance companies evaluate claims based on documentation. The more consistent your records are, the easier it is to show what happened and what it cost you.

Schedule follow-up care and comply with treatment. Gaps in care are commonly used to argue that injuries “weren’t serious.”
Request copies of medical records and bills. Keep them in one folder (digital or paper).
Document wage loss. Pay stubs, employer letters, and missed shift records help quantify damages.
Track out-of-pocket costs. Childcare, household help, medical devices, and travel can add up.

Did you know? Fast Alaska facts that can affect compensation

Alaska uses a “pure comparative fault” approach. If you’re partly at fault, your damages can be reduced proportionally, but fault does not automatically bar recovery. (law.justia.com)
Many injury and wrongful death lawsuits are time-limited. A common deadline is two years, but exceptions can apply—waiting too long can seriously limit options. (codes.findlaw.com)
Self-reporting a crash can have strict timelines. Alaska’s DMV guidance highlights reporting deadlines (commonly 10 days for crash forms). (dmv.alaska.gov)

Quick comparison table: What to document (and why it matters)

Document Examples How it helps your claim
Medical records & bills ER notes, imaging, PT notes, prescriptions Shows diagnosis, timeline, and cost of care
Proof of wage loss Pay stubs, employer letter, missed shifts Quantifies lost income and work restrictions
Photos/video Vehicles, hazards, injuries, weather/lighting Preserves evidence before it disappears
Incident or crash reports APD report, Trooper collision report, DMV forms Creates an official record of what occurred
Pain & limitations journal Sleep issues, headaches, lifting limits Helps explain day-to-day impact, not just bills

How this plays out for common Alaska injury cases

Car and truck crashes: Early documentation matters because vehicle damage gets repaired, road conditions change, and memories fade. If law enforcement does not respond, Alaska’s crash self-report process can be important. (dmv.alaska.gov) See also: Car Accidents and Truck Accidents.
Slip and fall injuries: Take photos of the exact surface, footwear, lighting, and any warning signage. If you can, ask for an incident report from the property manager and keep a copy. Learn more: Slip and Fall Accidents.
Dog bites: Photograph injuries at multiple stages (day 1, day 3, one week). Save vaccination/animal control information if available, and seek medical care promptly due to infection risk and scarring concerns. Learn more: Dog Bites.
Oil field injuries: Preserve worksite details—shift schedules, safety meeting notes, names of supervisors, and photographs if allowed. Offshore and remote logistics can make witness access and record preservation more complicated. Learn more: Oil Field Injuries.
Wrongful death: Families are often forced to make decisions while grieving. Getting early guidance can help preserve records and clarify timelines. Learn more: Wrongful Death.

Local Anchorage angle: Why “the usual advice” needs Alaska adjustments

Anchorage injury claims often turn on details that don’t get enough attention outside Alaska:

Weather changes evidence quickly. Snow removal, sanding, and freeze-thaw cycles can erase slip hazards and change road conditions overnight.
Remote care and travel costs can be real damages. If you need specialty care or follow-ups that require longer travel, keep mileage and lodging documentation.
Tourism, seasonal work, and oil-field rotations complicate wage loss. Save schedules, per diem documentation, and rotation calendars when your income isn’t a standard 9-to-5.
Multiple agencies can be involved. Depending on where an incident occurs, records may be held by local police, Alaska State Troopers, or other entities—knowing where to request them saves time. (dps.alaska.gov)

Talk with an Anchorage personal injury law firm that keeps it straightforward

If you’re dealing with a serious injury and want a clear plan—what to document, what to avoid, and what your next steps should be—Jason Skala can help you understand your options.

FAQ: Anchorage personal injury claims

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Alaska?
Many actions for personal injury or death must be filed within two years of accrual, but exceptions and special rules can apply depending on the facts. If you’re unsure, it’s smart to get legal advice early rather than assume you have time. (codes.findlaw.com)
If I’m partly at fault, can I still recover compensation in Alaska?
Often, yes. Alaska’s comparative fault rule generally reduces damages in proportion to the claimant’s fault rather than automatically barring recovery. (law.justia.com)
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
You may need to report the incident to your insurer, but a recorded statement can create risk if you’re still learning the full extent of your injuries. Consider getting guidance before providing detailed recorded statements—especially if liability is disputed.
What if the police didn’t come to my car accident in Anchorage?
Alaska provides a process for drivers to self-report certain crashes, and the DMV guidance highlights deadlines (commonly 10 days for crash forms). If you’re unsure whether you must file, review the official instructions or speak with counsel. (dmv.alaska.gov)
What kinds of compensation might be available in an injury claim?
Depending on the case, compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. The right categories (and proof) depend on the facts and the type of accident.

Glossary

Accrual
The point in time when a legal claim is considered to “start” for purposes of deadlines, including statutes of limitation.
Comparative fault (comparative negligence)
A rule that reduces damages based on each party’s percentage of fault. In Alaska, contributory fault generally diminishes damages proportionally and does not automatically bar recovery. (law.justia.com)
Statute of limitations
The deadline for filing a lawsuit. In many Alaska personal injury and death cases, the limitation period is two years (with exceptions). (codes.findlaw.com)
Crash self-report
A driver-submitted report used when law enforcement did not respond or when instructed to self-report, submitted through Alaska’s DMV/DPS process with stated timelines. (dmv.alaska.gov)