What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in Alaska

If you find yourself involved in a hit-and-run in Alaska, there are various steps you should take to avoid facing significant legal and financial consequences. First, if you are at fault, you should remain at the scene of the incident until you’ve exchanged information with other involved parties and filed a police report, as well as called emergency services if needed.

Do’s

Here’s what to do if someone hits your car while moving or while parked:

1. Stay at the scene. You must stay at the accident scene in Alaska, as leaving will result in severe legal consequences.
2. Exchange information. Make sure to exchange information with the other parties involved, including each party’s:
   • Name, contact number, insurance provider, and license number
3. Seek medical attention. You should call emergency services immediately for any injuries.
4. Call the police. Contact the police and file a report, as this is crucial for legal and insurance purposes.
5. Call your insurance company. Finally, it is a good idea to contact your insurance provider, regardless of who is at fault.

As an at-fault state, Alaska requires the at-fault driver to cover injury and damage expenses that result from an accident. So, if someone hits your car, the best-case scenario is that their required liability insurance covers your property damage and bodily injuries. However, not every driver in Alaska has the minimum insurance requirements. If the driver who hit your vehicle does not have sufficient coverage to cover your expenses, you may need to turn to your own insurance policy. Here are some steps and considerations for recovering damages in such a situation:

1. File a claim with your insurance provider. After an accident, the first step is to file a claim with your own insurance company. Even if you are not at fault, your insurance company can help you navigate the process of seeking compensation.
2. Consider optional coverages. It may be beneficial to consider opting for additional coverage policies that help cover the cost of damage after an accident. Collision coverage, for example, helps pay for repairs or vehicle replacement, regardless of fault.
3. Document everything. Documentation is key in recovering damages after a hit-and-run. This includes taking photos of the accident scene, collecting witness statements, and gathering the insurance and contact information from the other driver. You should also keep records of your medical expenses and lost wages if you or your passengers sustain injuries.
4. Review your policy. We encourage you to understand the details of your insurance policy, from your limits and deductibles to the extent of your coverage.

Like any at-fault accident, a hit-and-run conviction raises your car insurance rates. Insurance providers may categorize hit-and-run drivers as high risk, leading to higher insurance premiums. Unfortunately, hit-and-runs can impact how much you pay for insurance, even if you are the victim. Depending on your insurer’s policies, you can expect a slight increase after a hit-and-run incident.

As of 2016, there are about 0.54 fatal hit-and-runs per 100,000 residents. Though this number is lower compared to states with the highest rates of fatal hit-and-runs (like New Mexico), it demonstrates the unfortunate prevalence of hit-and-runs in Alaska. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities does not provide data from recent years on hit-and-run statistics across the state. However, data from 2011 reported that hit-and-runs accounted for 3.9 percent of all reported crashes in that year.

Alaska is an at-fault state, meaning the parties at fault for an accident are responsible for any resulting property damages and medical expenses. According to state legislation, drivers who cause an accident in Alaska must stop and stay at the scene to identify themselves and assist any injured parties. Drivers who fail to remain at the scene can run into serious legal consequences, like misdemeanor or felony charges.

Penalties

Often, fleeing the scene of an accident you’ve caused will result in more severe penalties than the accident itself. Failing to remain at the scene of an accident is considered a class B misdemeanor in Alaska and is punishable by fines and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of damage or injuries caused.¹

There are more significant penalties for failing to report the accident or giving false information in your report:

Overall, it is essential to understand and follow specific steps when dealing with a hit-and-run in Alaska. You must consider legal and insurance-related issues and remain at the scene to avoid further consequences. After collecting evidence and seeking medical attention if necessary, you should report the incident to law enforcement within 10 days. Finally, understanding your insurance coverage and Alaska’s legal framework regarding accidents is crucial to effectively managing the situation.