What to do after a car accident in Alaska
Every rule below is quoted from Alaska law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Alaska is an at fault, or tort, state. The driver who causes a crash, and that driver's insurance, is responsible for paying for the other driver's injuries and damage. A driver must report a crash right away to local police or the Alaska State Troopers if anyone is hurt or killed, or if total property damage looks like it is $2,000 or more. You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
Deadlines in Alaska
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesAS 09.10.070(a)
- 2 years
- to sue for car or property damageAS 09.10.070(a)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathAS 09.55.580(a)
- 2 years
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedAS 09.50.250; AS 09.65.070
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash must stop at the scene, stay there, give their name, address, and license plate number to the other driver or an injured person, and help arrange medical care for anyone hurt.
“shall give the operator's name, address, and vehicle license number to the person struck or injured...and shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance”
When you must call the police
A driver must report a crash right away to local police or the Alaska State Troopers if anyone is hurt or killed, or if total property damage looks like it is $2,000 or more.
“The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of a person or total property damage...of $2,000 or more shall immediately...give notice”
Moving your car out of traffic
Alaska does not have a specific law requiring drivers to move a driveable car out of the travel lane after a minor crash. State law instead tells drivers to stop at the scene and stay there.
“shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible and return to, and remain at, the scene”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If the crash involves an injury, a death, or about $2,000 or more in damage, the driver must also send a written or electronic crash report to the Alaska Department of Administration within 10 days, unless a police officer already investigated and filed the report.
“shall, within 10 days after the accident, forward a written or electronic report of the accident to the Department of Administration”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can request a copy of an Alaska State Troopers crash report online through the Department of Public Safety records portal. Most police report requests have no fee, and you will be contacted first if one applies.
“Most requests for police reports have no cost and most video, photo, or audio requests are charged $36.49 per request”
Who pays for the damage
Alaska is an at fault, or tort, state. The driver who causes a crash, and that driver's insurance, is responsible for paying for the other driver's injuries and damage.
“shall be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy that complies with this chapter or a certificate of self-insurance”
Insurance rules in Alaska
What insurance every driver must carry
Alaska drivers must carry liability insurance of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per crash for injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
“$50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in one accident, and...$100,000...of two or more persons...and (2) $25,000 because of injury to or destruction of property”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Alaska does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection, called PIP. Instead the law requires liability insurance that pays for injuries the at-fault driver causes to others.
“shall be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy that complies with this chapter or a certificate of self-insurance”
If the other driver has no insurance
Alaska insurance companies must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in an auto policy at the same dollar limits as the driver's liability coverage, unless the driver waives it in writing.
“The coverage required under (c) and (d) of this section may be waived in writing by the insured in whole or in part”
Medical payments coverage
Alaska law does not require insurance companies to offer or include medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, on an auto policy. It is optional coverage a driver can choose to add.
“An insurance company offering automobile liability insurance in this state for bodily injury or death shall, initially and at each renewal, offer coverage”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
To file a complaint against an insurance company in Alaska, use the online form on the Division of Insurance's File a Consumer Complaint page, or mail/fax the printable complaint form.
“Ready to File? There are two options: File a Consumer Complaint Online... Do you prefer to mail or fax your consumer complaint? Use the complaint form linked here.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
“a person may not bring an action...for personal injury or death...unless the action is commenced within two years of the accrual of the cause of action”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit over damage to your vehicle or other property.
“for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including an action for its specific recovery...unless the action is commenced within two years of the accrual of the cause of action”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death lawsuit from a crash must be filed within 2 years after the death.
“The action shall be commenced within two years after the death, and the damages therein shall be the damages the court or jury may consider fair and just”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
Alaska does not set a separate short notice deadline for a claim against the state or a municipality after a crash involving a government vehicle or a government road. The same lawsuit deadline that applies to a private driver applies here.
“A person or corporation having a contract, quasi-contract, or tort claim against the state may bring an action against the state in a state court”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- AS 28.22.011
- AS 09.17.060
- AS 09.10.070(a)
- AS 09.55.580(a)
- AS 09.50.250; AS 09.65.070
- AS 28.35.080(a)
- AS 28.22.101(d)
- AS 21.96.020(e); AS 28.22.101(e)
- AS 28.35.050; AS 28.35.060
- https://dps.alaska.gov/newsroom/request-dps-records/
- Alaska Division of Insurance, File a Consumer Complaint page
- Alaska Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.