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.

View Larger Map

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.

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.

Alaska is one of the primary destinations for cruise ship passengers. Cruise ships head up the center of the state giving passengers breathtaking views of stunning Alaskan natural beauty. The last thing a passenger thinks about is a cruise ship injury or getting sick from tainted food. Unfortunately last week 96 passengers of the Princess Cruise lines were infected with norovirus. Norovirus is a nasty gastrointestinal illness which can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

According to cruise line officials the incident caused them to perform what they called a “super-sanitization” of the Ship named the Sapphire Princess. During this period of norovirus infection the Sapphire had visited three Alaskan ports, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway on June 1 through June 3.

The Princess Cruise line did not officially refer to the incident as a quarantine, however a number of the passengers on the boat were asked to stay in their room in order to keep the virus from spreading.

Last Sunday the ship arrived at port in Seattle a lot of very unhappy passengers were seen coming off the ship. Passengers were upset, not only the ones who had contracted the norovirus and suffered a dismal vacation…but a large number of the other passengers restricted their activities and were not able to enjoy their vacation time.

Cruise Ships and Norovirus Illness

According to officials at Princess, they suspect a passenger brought the norovirus on board, where it quickly spread. The CDC tracks outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships because of the fact that so many of these outbreaks occur on water. Government officials attribute the high level of norovirus incidents to the extremely tight quarters on cruise ships. While noroviruses are highly contagious, they are usually not serious. Individuals that contract the virus can feel very sick and vomit often or get diarrhea and thus become dehydrated from lost liquids. Most norovirus sufferers recover within 1 or 2 days and have no long-term adverse health effects.

To learn more about cruise ships and the norovirus visit: this link

Hiring an Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer

Cruise ship accidents and injuries is a very specialized area of the law. Litigating cruise ship incidents require an experienced personal injury law firm that has the resources to take cases to trial and a successful track record. Often an Alaskan cruise ship injury case requires the use of technology and forensics. Thus, it is critical that you seek an Alaska personal injury law firm that has the resources to fight insurance carriers. The personal injury accident attorneys at Barber & Sims can determine the cause of each cruise ship accident and aggressively fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call Barber & Sims today toll free at (800) 478-5858 for a free consultation.

Alaska Personal Injury Attorneys

The Barber & Sims Alaska cruise ship 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 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.

Alaska is known for its immense beauty and wide range of natural landscapes that make visiting the state a truly memorable experience. Unfortunately for many visitors, as well as residents of Alaska, the Seward Highway, which takes travelers to some of the state’s most beautiful places, is also the most dangerous road in Alaska.

Alaska state officials recently named the Seward “The most dangerous highway in Alaska.”

An Alaska official recently stated, in effect, that the Seward Highway is the most beautiful drive in the world, but also one of the most dangerous.

Last week we posted a blog about the young woman who was lucky to be alive after her car rolled over 5 times in a horrific car accident on the Seward Highway.

The young driver suffered serious injury and a passenger in her car was lucky to have only minor injuries. The car was completely totaled and there were pieces thrown as far as 100 yards.

We also posted a story recently about the Alaska car accident that occurred on May 18, when a Ford Focus was stopped and in position to make a turn on the Seward Highway near Potter Marsh. A pickup truck traveling down the highway apparently did not see the Focus and crashed into the car’s rear-end. As a result of this accident, two people we sent to nearby hospitals. Both of those people survived their injuries. In that accident the authorities blamed driver distraction as the cause of the crash.

An Anchorage Police official was quoted as saying that the Seward Highway has more fatalities, from downtown Anchorage to Portage and the Turnagain Pass, than anywhere else in the state of Alaska.

In the summer of 2009, there were 11 fatalities on the Seward Highway Between 2001 and 2007 there were 31 fatal Alaska automobile crashes.

On Wednesday May 25^th, Channel 2 News in Anchorage is holding a town hall meeting to ask experts viewers’ questions about dangers of the highway.

Alaska Personal Injury

The Alaska personal injury law offices of Barber & Sims have been handling serious auto accident cases for over 30 years. Barber & Sims are trial lawyers with the expertise and the resources to take cases to trial. While many Alaska law firms handle auto accident cases, the offices of Barber & Sims are one of the few with a strong track record of actual trial law cases involving substantial judgments. If you have been injured in an Alaska auto accident you need the law offices of Barber & Sims. Call us today at (800) 478-5858 for a free consultation.

When drivers share the road with bicyclists, they need to be prepared for unexpected movements from them.  This is particularly true when the bicyclist is a child, as children do not yet understand the nuances of moving traffic and the realities of safety laws.  Unfortunately, an Anchorage auto accident that involved a child on a bicycle occurred on Thursday left a six-year-old girl critically injured, and investigators have yet to determine the cause of the crash.

The accident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. near DeBarr Road and Valley Street, east of Muldoon Road in Anchorage.  The driver of a 1992 Mazda, Adrienne Rost, 18, was moving down DeBarr Road when, according to her, the child suddenly veered off of a dirt path and directly into the direction of the vehicle.  Rost stated that she did not have time to react to the child’s presence.  It’s believed that the child suffered serious head injuries, as she was not wearing a helmet while riding her bike with her sister.

There are two points that should be made in regards to this situation.  The first is that we sincerely hope that this little girl is able to overcome her injuries and that with the help of her family she’s able to return to a normal life that any child should enjoy.  Secondly, the only information available regarding this latest Anchorage auto accident at this point comes from the description offered by the driver.  This means that no conclusive decision can be made as to which party is responsible for this terrible accident.

Alaska Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to the state’s statistics, bicycle accident injuries are the third leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury for children between the ages of five and 14.  In addition, head injuries were the reason for hospitalization for approximately one-third of all of these Alaska bicycle accidents that involved a child.  Finally, children between the ages of five and 14 have the highest rate of injuries that result from Alaska bicycle accidents, and this rate is double that of any other age group.

Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an Anchorage bicycle 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 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Even with all of the emphasis on safe driving and “scared straight” teen driving classes, there are many of us who have done some fairly unintelligent things as young drivers, sometimes being sucked into the drama of drag racing or trying to show off. Such appears to be the case yesterday when a young woman suffered serious injury in another Alaska car accident. According to eye-witnesses, the woman’s automobile was observed driving recklessly near the Dimond Boulevard overpass of the Seward Highway in Anchorage.

(Daniel Hernandez KTUU-DT)

According to the initial police reports, police believe the young woman was likely racing a pickup truck and was weaving in and out of traffic on the Seward Highway. The woman lost control over her vehicle as the tires slid off onto the shoulder. As a result, she lost control of the vehicle, causing the rear-end to roll and eventually resulted in the car flipping over five times.

The young driver was only 19-years-old, and authorities say she was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, including possible spinal injuries. She was also carrying another passenger in the vehicle but that passenger was expected to be fine, suffering only minor injuries and trauma.

We want to take a moment to wish the woman involved in this serious auto accident a speedy recovery from her injuries. We ask you to join us in sending thoughts and prayers to her and her family, as well as to the other passenger in her vehicle.

Teenage Driving Accidents

Even though there were no other cars involved in this Anchorage auto accident, it is believed that the young woman driving the car recklessly was not wearing her seatbelt. Sadly this fact just adds to the already high statistics for teenage car accidents and fatalities. Teenagers, overall, account for about 10 percent of the US Population but are involved in over 12 percent all fatal car crashes.  Typically, the risk of a Crash risk is much higher during the first year teenagers are able to drive.

The risk of being involved in a car accident is the highest for young drivers aged 16-19 than for any other age group. For every mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are roughly four times more likely than other drivers to be involved in a car crash.

Every year in the United States, over 5,000 teens between the ages of 16 to 20 will die due to fatal injuries caused in car accidents. In addition to those sobering statistics, about 400,000 drivers age 16 to 20 will be seriously injured in an automobile accident.

Hiring an Anchorage Personal Injury Lawyer

Barber & Sims has over 25 years of collective experience in litigating cases on behalf of injured clients. We handle serious injury cases and have the resources and expertise to take cases to trial. Very few law firms are willing to try cases, most will simply take a settlement and move on to the next case. At Barber & Sims we know that serious injury cases take time, focus and effort…and our track record trying Alaska injury cases in impeccable. If you have been injured, contact the Alaska auto accident attorneys at Barber & Sims to schedule a free initial consultation so that you can obtain the information you need regarding your legal rights and options.  If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in an Alaska auto accident. Call us now at 907-276-5858.

Alaska Personal Injury Attorneys

The Barber & Sims Alaska 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 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.

Alaska auto accidents occur all too frequently and the reasons behind these accidents vary. In the past month there have been a number of vehicle accidents in Alaska ranging from intoxicated drivers to inattentive or distracted drivers. The latter appears to be the case in this most recent  serious auto collision that injured two people. The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon on the Seward Highway near Mile 116 along Potter Marsh.

According to the Anchorage Police Department, the driver of a white pickup truck that was traveling southbound apparently did not notice that directly in front of them was a Ford Focus who was in a topped position waiting to make a left hand turn. The pickup then slammed into the back of the Focus causing serious injury to the vehicle and passengers.

The driver of the white pickup truck was uninjured, however the two people in the Ford Focus have seen said to suffer serious injury. According to authorities, the two people in the Focus were transported to a local hospital. At the time of the accident report their condition was unknown. It has been since reported that the passengers are expected to recover.

Alaska Auto Accidents Law

This Alaska auto accident is still under investigation. If the driver of the truck was impaired or inattentive, the passengers of the Ford Focus have rights under Alaska law. They should immediately seek the help of an accomplished Alaska personal injury attorney who can guide them on the process of their claim. The passengers are entitled to certain rights under the law including medical care, lost wages and compensation for the damage to their vehicle.

Statistics on Auto Accidents in Alaska

During the year 2007 there were 82 fatal car crashes in Alaska. During that same period 343 auto accidents resulted in what is deemed as serious injury to the drivers or passengers of the vehicles. Throughout Alaska there were a total of 10,578 motor vehicle accidents that occurred in 2007. Luckily, in the majority of these cases, about one quarter of the drivers of the vehicles saw only minor injuries. The other three quarters of those Alaska accidents resulted in property damage.

Alaska Injury Attorneys

The Barber & Sims Anchorage Alaska 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 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.

Alaska drunk-driving incidents often lead to serious accidents and sometimes even death, but a Fairbanks DUI arrest thankfully resulted in only minor injuries to the intoxicated driver charges ranging from reckless driving to leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

Alaska State Troopers were called to investigate property damage reported at the Red Fox Bar in Fairbanks on the morning of May 12. 2010. At the time, a blue pickup truck was reportedly observed leaving the parking lot after damaging a road sign and perimeter fence.  As the result of the reckless driving the damage sustained by the pickup truck resulted in a trail of leaking fluids which Alaska Troopers then followed in the direction of the suspect.

Authorities were able to track down Reed Justin Johnson, 22 of Fairbanks, on Chena Ridge Road following a report by another motorist involving a nearby motor vehicle accident and a truck, a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup. That vehicle matched the description given from the damage that occurred at the Red Fox Bar.  The young driver, Johnson, drove off of Chena Ridge Rd. while heading westbound on Chena Ridge Rd. and then careened through a heavily wooded area adjacent to the roadway. His truck finally ended its destructive rampage after colliding head-on with a large cluster of trees.

The driver, Johnson, then abandoned the pickup and fled from the accident scene. However, he also stopped nearby to inform EMS who were at the scene that he’d been involved in an accident.  Reed Johnson sustained several minor injuries to his face.  It was unclear whether Johnson was wearing his seat belt. The Dodge Dakota sustained approximately $8000 in damage.

Troopers arrested Johnson and charged him with DUI, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident.

Alaska Auto Accident Statistics

This situation is a lucky one for the drunk-driver and those in his destructive path.  Alaska auto accident statistics reveal that more than 10,000 crashes occur on an annual basis, leading to more than 3,000 injuries and almost 100 deaths every year.  That comes to nearly 30 Alaska auto accidents every day with several people injured on a daily basis and nearly two people per week who are killed.

Injury Attorneys

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 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.

Teenage driving accidents are a high cause of auto-related injuries in Alaska. This past weekend a 16-year-old from Palmer was listed in critical condition after his Ford Explorer crashed in a ditch outside Wasilla, Alaska. The crash was reported at about 3:45 a.m. on May 9^th.

The young driver, Mitchell A. Rissew, was heading east on Bogard Road and the car was occupied by two other teenagers. Suddenly his 1995 Ford Explorer crossed traffic into the oncoming lane, went into a ditch and then rolled several times near the Earl Drive intersection.

All of the teenagers involved in the Alaska auto accident were taken to local hospitals. Rissew was flown to Providence Alaska Medical Center. Another 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, passengers in the vehicle rollover, were taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and were reported as having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

According to Alaska State troopers, only one of the teenagers was wearing a seatbelt. Investigators have initially reported that alcohol and/or intoxicants are not believed to be a factor in this serious Alaska truck accident.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mitchell A. Rissew and we wish him a speedy recovery from his critical injuries. We also pray the other passengers of the truck rollover accident have a quick recovery.

Teen Driving Accidents in Alaska

Each year, teenagers account for approximately 20% of the fatalities and major injuries that occur on Alaska’s roads and highways. In nearly half of these cases, the unfortunate deaths could have been prevented by the use of seat belts.

Alaska Laws For Teen Drivers

1) At age 16, a person may be eligible for a Provisional License when:

• That person has held a learner’s permit for 6 months,
• A parent or guardian certifies that this person has performed at least 40 hours of driving, including 10 hours of driving under challenging conditions such as nighttime or harsh weather conditions, and
• This person has not been convicted of violating a traffic law for at least 6 months before applying.

2) Once the youth holds a Provisional License, they are subject to several limitations for the first 6 months of driving.  They must:

• • Driving between 1:00 and 5:00 a.m. is prohibited except when driving to and from a job or in an emergency situation
  • Generally no passengers except for: Passengers who are 21 yrs or older or siblings of the driver
  • Passengers when accompanied by the driver’s parent or legal guardian.

3) 6 months after a Provisional License is issued, the youth may apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for an unrestricted license:

• As long they have not been convicted of a traffic offence for at least six months before their application.

Two important exceptions to this law:

• A driver with a Provisional License may be eligible for a work permit so that they can drive to or from work or drive during the entire time they are employed.
• Driver’s issued permits or licenses under the DMV’s hardship or off-systems licensing programs are in no way affected by the GDL licensing provisions.

Alaska Auto Accident Lawyers

The Alaska personal injury lawyers at Barber and Sims have been representing injured Alaskans involved in auto or trucking accidents for nearly three decades. Call our offices today toll free at (800) 478-5858 to schedule a free consultation with one of our injury attorneys.

Injury Attorneys

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 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.

Read more about this story at: http://www.adn.com/2010/05/09/1270383/teen-critical-after-car-hits-ditch.html