The most recent Alaska pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a 24-yer old male. The man was identified as Peter Beatty of Anchorage.

The accident details are somewhat unusual for a fatal pedestrian accident. According to the police, a call came in for a domestic disturbance in which the suspect, Beatty, was accused of trying to strangle someone.

There were already outstanding warrants for Beatty’s arrest and, when the police arrived on the scene, Beatty fled—running westbound across Bragaw. He was able to make it across the northbound lanes but then, as he attempted to cross the southbound side, he ran directly into traffic and fell down. It was at that time that Beatty was struck by a vehicle heading south. The driver, Albert Tucker, was in his Toyota Corolla and neither he nor a passenger in his vehicle were injured in the accident.

Authorities are still investigating the collision.

Alaska Pedestrian Accidents

In this case, the fatal injury is the alleged fault of Mr. Beatty and the driver of the vehicle actually has rights to damages under Alaska law. Still, the sudden loss of life is a traumatic experience for the family and loved ones of Mr. Beatty and we urge you to join us in sending prayers and good wishes to his immediate relatives and friends.

On average in the US, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 108 minutes. Of all traffic incidents nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of traffic fatalities under age 16 were pedestrians. For older pedestrians (ages 70+), those account for 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on average. In the year 2000 the death rate for this age group, both men and women, was 3.17 per 100,000 people – higher than for any other age group. Over three-quarters (79 percent) of pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations.

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

In Alaska pedestrian accident cases, families and friends of injured or deceased accident victims are highly advised to contact an experienced Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer who will stay abreast of the investigation, hire expert accident reconstruction experts and investigators to thoroughly evaluate the cause of the collision and make sure every angle is examined, as well as well as evaluate the roadway for dangerous conditions that may have caused or contributed to  the collision. Call Barber & Sims today at (800) 478-5858 for a free consultation.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

The Barber & Sims personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best Alaska  personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Barber & Sims will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

When someone makes a mistake behind the wheel that leads to injuries or even fatalities, that driver often faces the prospect of an Alaska personal injury or an Alaska wrongful death lawsuit and perhaps a citation from police for that mistake.  However, certain fatal Alaska car accidents are deemed to warrant criminal charges, and that’s exactly what has occurred in the wake of a fatal Fairbanks bicycle accident that occurred last month.

55-year-old Fred Karella was driving his pickup truck at the intersection of Steese Highway and the Johansen Expressway in Fairbanks when he allegedly ran through a red light.  As a result of this act, he slammed into 14-year-old Kirsten Tompkins, who was crossing the street on her bicycle with her older brother and another friend.  The girl was killed at the scene as a result of the collision.  Mr. Karella has been charged with manslaughter and first-degree assault.

Alaska Bicycle Accident Statistics

We’d initially like to send our condolences to the family and friends of the girl who was killed.  To lose a life at such a young age and in such a violent and random manner is truly appalling.  In addition, this fatal Fairbanks bicycle accident will only add to the overall statistics regarding Alaska bicycle accidents.  Almost 50 people are injured badly enough to require hospitalization for bicycle accidents in Alaska every year, and bicycle accidents are the third leading cause of death for children between the ages of 5 and 14.

Alaska Wrongful Death Lawyers

Regardless of the criminal charges the motorist faces, he could also be faced with an Alaska wrongful death lawsuit if the girl’s family decides to file such a claim.  If this case was successful, the family could be compensated with damages that include their costs for medical, funeral and burial expenses as well as other forms of damages that Alaska law allows those in this position to ask for and collect.

If you have lost someone you love in this type of incident, you need the help of Alaska wrongful death lawyers who have been holding negligent drivers accountable for the harm they have caused for many years.  Contact Barber & Sims today at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Alaska is a place where plane travel is not only common, but a necessity to access many different locations in this enormous place.  Unfortunately, with the geographical and weather-related challenges that every pilot faces, these factors tend to combine to result in a high number of plane crashes.  Tragically, another fatal Alaska plane crash has claimed the lives of two people, and authorities are investigating the cause.

According to officials, the latest fatal Alaska plane crash occurred on Tuesday night at approximately 8 p.m. The plane wreckage was discovered near Mount Susitna, which is about 25 miles northwest of Anchorage.  Investigators have arrived at the scene and identified two bodies, although their names have not yet been released.  A preliminary report indicates that the investigators did not find evidence of mechanical failure with the aircraft, although it could take weeks to uncover a definitive cause for this accident.

Alaska Plane Crash Statistics

First, we’d like to extend our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the people who were killed in this Alaska plane crash.  These accidents are on an upward trend this year, and no one should have to hear the type of news these families are about to receive.  Unfortunately, this will only add to the growing list of fatal Alaska plane crashes that have occurred already in 2010.  Since the beginning of the year, there have now been nine fatal Alaska plane crashes that have resulted in 15 fatalities.

Alaska Wrongful Death Lawyers

If it turns out that this latest fatal Alaska plane crash was the result of pilot error, it’s possible that the family of the passenger who was killed could file an Alaska wrongful death lawsuit.  If such a claim proved to be successful, the family could be awarded damages that compensate them for losses relating to medical, funeral and burial costs as well as for lost income and loss of companionship.

If this has happened to someone you love, you need the help of Alaska wrongful death lawyers who have been successfully fighting for the rights of suffering families for many years.  Contact Barber & Sims at (800) 478-5858 today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Driving a motorcycle in Alaska is always dangerous, but most people would assume that when they are waiting to turn into their own driveways that they are safe.  Unfortunately, Alaska motorcycle accidents can occur at any time, and this includes in front of one’s own home, as a motorcyclist in Fairbanks found out on Friday when he was hit and seriously injured by a vehicle from behind.

According to police, the latest Fairbanks motorcycle accident occurred on Friday when Robert Harte, 51, was driving his motorcycle in a southbound direction on University Avenue.  He was stopped in an inside line in the 600 block of University Avenue waiting for traffic to clear so he could turn left into his home.  Suddenly, he was hit from behind by Austin Sayre, 17, of Fairbanks, who was driving a pickup truck.  Mr. Harte was wearing a helmet but was injured badly enough to be rushed to the hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

Alaska Motorcycle Accident Statistics

First, we’d like to extend our hopes that Mr. Harte is able to recover from his injuries.  While there is not enough information to know for sure, it’s possible that his helmet saved his life.  Unfortunately, this Fairbanks motorcycle accident will only add to the overall statistics concerning Alaska motorcycle accident statistics.  Every year in the state, more than 30 people are killed and another 400 people are injured in these occurrences, with approximately one-third of these injuries classified as major.

Alaska Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If it turns out that the driver of the pickup truck was negligent in this accident, it’s possible for Mr. Harte to file an Alaska personal injury lawsuit.  If such a lawsuit proved to be successful, it’s possible that he could be awarded damages for medical costs, property damage, lost income and pain and suffering depending on the specifics of the situation.

However, the decision regarding whether or not to file such a lawsuit should only be made with the help of an Alaska personal injury lawyer who has years of experience in successfully fighting for the rights of clients.  Contact Barber & Sims today to schedule a free initial consultation.

The latest Alaska auto accident occurred early this morning when a driver ran into a power pole. The accident caused the southbound lanes of Boniface Parkway to be closed from 26th Avenue to Northern Lights Boulevard.

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Luckily there were no injuries in the accident and authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.

Alaska Auto Accidents, Summer Tourists and Increased Risks

The period on the calendar when all Alaska drivers should be most cautious occurs in July and August, basically in the middle of summer. During this time the weather is usually not much of a factor and visibility is typically high given the amount of daylight that is present during these months. The main issue leading to increased auto accidents in Alaska is that tourists tend to converge on the state at this point.  As a result, more than 18 percent, or almost one-fifth of all Alaska auto accidents occur during these two months.  Lack of familiarity with the roads, distraction from the scenery and alcohol are leading causes of crashes during this time.

Contact an Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer

If you drive in Alaska regularly, understanding these statistics will be of help.  If you or someone you love has been harmed in an accident, seek the help of Alaska auto accident lawyers who have years of experience in holding negligent drivers accountable.  Contact Barber & Sims at (800) 478-5858 today to schedule a free initial consultation.

ATV’s, otherwise known as All Terrain Vehicles, have long been a part of life in Alaska.  While many of them are used on ranches and the like for work or other utility-driven tasks, these vehicles have become more and more popular as recreational vehicles in recent years.  Unfortunately, this has led to a higher risk for Alaska ATV accidents, and tragically, such an accident took the life of a 17-year-old girl on Thursday afternoon.

According to police, this Alaska ATV accident occurred late Thursday afternoon on a trail that runs along Lucille Street in Wasilla.  Cheyanne M. Jorge was driving the ATV and 17-year-old Zackery S. Potteiger, also of Wasilla, was riding as a passenger.  The ATV crossed a driveway that intersected with the trail and overturned for some reason.  Neither person was wearing a helmet, and Jorge was killed and Potteiger was treated for injuries.

Alaska ATV Accident Statistics

First, we’d like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Jorge.  To lose a life at such a young age and in such a random situation is nothing short of tragic, and we hope that the family and those close to her are somehow able to overcome their grief, shock and sorrow.  In addition, this Alaska ATV accident will only add to the statistics in this regard.  In 2008, 7 people were killed in Alaska ATV accidents, and nationwide numbers indicate that about one-third of ATV accident fatalities are people who have not yet reached adulthood.

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

While it does not appear that anyone other than the two teens were involved in the accident, it would be useful to learn whether or not the ATV rollover that occurred was the result of reckless driving or because of some sort of defect with the vehicle, as ATV’s are notorious for rolling over when they shouldn’t.  If the latter is the case, the family could file an Alaska wrongful death lawsuit and recover damages.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an ATV accident in Alaska or in any other type of accident, you need to seek the help of Alaska personal injury lawyers who have been holding defendants of all types accountable for the injuries they have caused.  Contact Barber & Sims today to schedule a free initial consultation.

In the past 3-4 weeks as the summer driving months have begun in Alaska, there have been numerous car crashes but also an alarming number of fatalities. Alaska officials are concerned about this overall trend as it appears a number of drivers have been exceeding speed limits and/or not wearing safety belts.

The latest Alaska car accident happened yesterday, late in the evening, when a man who was driving north on the Seward Highway lost control of his car at Dowling.

According to reports the driver swerved over the median and moved into the oncoming traffic lanes. Somehow the driver was able to avoid hitting any of the oncoming vehicles. The driver of the vehicle was traveling with his brother and it is reported that the driver was not wearing safety restraints or seatbelts. When the vehicle crashed, the driver was thrown from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The brother of the man was able to walk away from the car crash and will be giving the authorities more information on the cause of this unfortunate Alaska auto accident.

For quite some time last night, Troopers closed the Seward Highway in both directions. They  eventually opening up one northbound lane at Dowling.

Alaska Auto Accident Fatalities For 2010

First of all we wish to express our deepest condolences to family and friends of the driver of the vehicle and we wish his brother a speedy recovery from any injuries. Whatever the determined cause of the car crash is, it is difficult to lose a loved one in such a sudden manner and we urge you to join us in sending prayers and good wishes to the family.

We are just a little over halfway through the year 2010 and there have already been over 25 documented Alaska auto accident fatalities recorded. This statistic is on trend with the past few years and thankfully the trend is one that has had a downward momentum for the past eight years. Alaska auto accident related fatalities have come down from over 100 per year to around 60+ per year in the past few years.

Sadly, the main cause of all Alaska car accident fatalities continues to be either the lack of use of seatbelts, speeding or drunk driving (or a combination of these). Because of this fact, Alaska State officials continue to urge drivers to always use extreme caution when on the roads…particularly the Seward Highway, which is the deadliest road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous roads in the entire United States.

Hiring an Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an Alaska car accident, you should seek the help of an experienced Anchorage personal injury lawyer, one who understands how to handle Alaska auto accident cases and has the resources to successfully fight for the rights of those who have been wrongfully injured.  Barber & Sims has been serving the state of Alaska for over 25 years, they are an Alaska personal injury law firm. Call our Anchorage law firm today at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Before the holiday period started State officials warned of taking extra caution on the roadways. Unfortunately two separate Alaska vehicle crashes on Chena Hot Springs Road have resulted in eight people being injured, including one 15 year-old girl who has reportedly suffered serious injuries.

The young girl who was injured was a passenger involved in a head-on collision. She was taken to a nearby hospital with what officials are calling serious injuries.

Alaska Head-On Collisions

According to Troopers, this latest Alaska head-on car accident occurred when the 20 year old driver, Christopher Harkom, of Two Rivers, was heading east. He apparently lost control of his vehicle and hit another car being driven by a 26-year-old man from North Pole. There were three passengers in Harkom’s vehicle and all suffered injuries. The other passenger was an unidentified male, age 18.

So far, initial reports indicate that alcohol was not a factor in this latest Alaska car crash.

Motorcycle Accidents in Alaska

A separate accident involved a motorcycle that was traveling in the wrong lane and caused a crash. The driver, Fred Hill, of North Pole, and another motorcyclist were heading toward Chena Hot Springs Resort when Hill swerved into the opposite lane. At the same time, a Toyota Corolla that was driven by Kelvin Rodriguez of Colorado was heading the opposite way. Apparently Hill tried to avoid them by driving his motorcycle toward the toward the guardrail. Hill then allowed his bike to fall over in order to avoid hitting it the automobile head-on. Hill’s bike collided with the guardrail and he moved further down the road, suffering a leg injury.

The Toyota unfortunately careened off the road and went into a rollover, landing on its roof. There were four other passengers in Rodriguez’s vehicle; none of the passenger suffered any serious injuries. The motorcyclist was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and the passengers in the Toyota were taken to Bassett Army Hospital.

At the same time this was occurring, another motorcyclist ran his bike into the ditch as he was trying to see the accident through rear-view mirror. Apparently speed was a factor here as it is believed that both motorcycle were traveling above the posted limit.

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an Anchorage motorcycle or car accident, you need the help of an Anchorage personal injury lawyer who understands how to handle Alaska accident cases and has the resources to successfully fight for the rights of those who have been wrongfully injured.  Barber & Sims has been serving the state of Alaska for over 25 years, they are an Alaska personal injury law firm that has the collective experience and resources to take cases to trial if needed. Call our Anchorage law firm today at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free initial consultation.

This past 4^th of July weekend saw another fatal Alaska motorcycle accident as a rider who was participating in a cross-country Harley-Davidson race called the “Hoka Hey” died in a crash on an Alaska highway.

According to police reports, Kenneth J. Greene (63) of Ocala, Fla., died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing Sunday afternoon on the Glenn Highway near the Matanuska Glacier.

Greene was part of a cross-country motorcycle challenge called the “Hoka Hey,” which is an 8300-mile race starting in Key West, Fla., and ending in Homer, Alaska. The race has seen several accidents with 2 fatalities. In both of the motorcycle accident fatalities it is believed that the drivers fell asleep while riding.

The Alaska motorcycle crash happened when Greene veered onto the shoulder and lost control of his bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

There is now a serious investigation into the entire Hoka Hey race with many calling it a scam. Riders paid $1000 to participate and there was a promise of a $500,000 purse for the winner. However, riders have been arriving at the final destination of Homer, Alaska for over 2 weeks and there has been no officials and no way of telling who might have ‘won’ the event. Authorities are now looking into the entire event and believe it is possible that it is a fraud.

Alaska Motorcycle Accident Compensation

For those who have been injured or lost loved ones in Alaska motorcycle accidents, you should contact one of our Anchorage motorcycle accident attorneys to file a lawsuit in Alaska. Only an Alaska personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit to pursue a settlement or jury award to cover injuries and losses for an accident that occurred in Alaska. In Alaska, there are a number of factors that determine the compensation a victim is able to obtain, including who was responsible for the crash, the severity of the injuries and the laws of the state. If a motorcyclist is killed, his or her surviving family members may be able to obtain benefits under an Alaska wrongful death suit.

Motorcycle Accident Laws and Your Rights

In a motorcycle crash, the injured’s ability to recover damages is determined by motorcycle accident laws defining damages, negligence and other issues that are typically found in a personal injury claim. Alaska laws are designed to hold designers and manufacturers of motorcycles accountable, as well as distributors for selling safe products. In addition, the motorists and motorcyclists are also responsible for operating their vehicles safely. When a motorcyclist is injured due to negligence in a motorcycle accident, Alaska law allows the victim to pursue compensation for their injuries. At Barber & Sims we understand motorcycle accidents. We have over two decades of experience in handling Alaska motorcycle accidents. Call Barber & Sims today at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers. We are located in Anchorage and cover the entire state of Alaska.

Holiday driving brings thousands of drivers out onto the roads for 4^th of July parties and fireworks displays, Sadly, an Anchorage auto accident occurred to start off this holiday weekend resulting in a fatality. One man was killed and two others were injured in the Alaska car crash which occurred on the Glenn Highway this past Thursday afternoon.

The Alaska auto accident was a head-on collision. The Anchorage accident occurred as one of the drivers was on the Glenn Highway between North Eagle River and Birchwood. An eye witness reported seeing the driver slump over his steering wheel, with his hands dropping from the wheel. The vehicle jumped the median and ran head-on into another car. The driver of the car that crossed the median was pronounced dead on arrival.

The other car contained a man and his 16-year-old son, who were heading northbound in a Subaru Forester. They were struck by the sedan after it hopped the highway median. Both passengers were taken to an Anchorage hospital and are expected to recover from their injuries.

Alaska Fatal Car Crashes

It is not known what the cause was for the man who slumped at the wheel and jumped the median. He may have fallen asleep at the wheel or perhaps experienced some kind of medical emergency. Alcohol or substance abuse are not considered to be a factor at this point in the investigation.

As a result of the accident, authorities closed down The Glenn Highway northbound for a number of hours. Traffic was rerouted to the Old Glenn Highway. Traffic Northbound remained slow for most of the evening.

This latest fatal Alaska car crash is a reminder to drivers that holiday traffic can be extra dangerous and that drinking and driving is against the law.

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an Anchorage car accident, you need the help of an Anchorage personal injury lawyer who understands how to handle these difficult cases and how to successfully fight for the rights of those who have been wrongfully injured.  Barber & Sims is an Alaska personal injury law firm that has decades of collective experience in doing just that, so contact the firm today at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free initial consultation.