Parks Highway Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s latest traffic accident statistics, nationally 21,132 people died in crashes in 2013, and more than 2.05 million were injured. However, you don’t need statistics or numbers to know that driving in Alaska is dangerous, no matter how safe of a driver you are. Even the safest drivers on the road today have to contend with drunk drivers, moose, speeders, overworked truck drivers, and teenagers using their smartphone instead of paying attention to the road. Nowhere are these risks more prevalent than when you’re driving on a highway in Alaska. The Alaska Department of Transportation estimates that one person dies on an Alaskan highway every 5.1 days. In 2011, the last year data was available, 12.5% of all crashes in the state took place on the Sterling, Seward, Glenn, Parks, Richardson, Alaska and Tok Cutoff Highways. Even though only 12.5% of crashes occur there, these highways account for 30.6% of fatal traffic accidents in the state. Not only that, but they account for 35% of moose-related crashes and 9.5% of crashes involving an intoxicated driver. Parks Highway car accidents are common, and it’s important to call an experienced attorney from our team if you need help.

Parks Highway contains some of the most beautiful views you’ll find on any major roadway in Alaska. As the main artery between Fairbanks and Anchorage, this road one of the most important routes in the state, which is also what makes it so dangerous. Since 1971, The George Parks Highway (commonly referred to as Parks Highway) stretches north from Anchorage to Fairbanks, while also connecting Wasilla, Trapper Creek, Cantwell, Denali National Park and Preserve, and various other towns along the way. In good weather, you can see Mount McKinley from the road, which covers 362 miles between Fairbanks and Anchorage.

All motorists, pedestrians, truck drivers, and bicyclists are expected to use a reasonable amount of care on Alaska’s road. The team at Ringstad Law Office, P.C., are here to help when you or a loved one is injured in a Parks Highway car accident.

Recent Parks Highway Car Accidents

Rollovers, Moose Collisions, and No-Passing Zones

With the high number of commercial truck drivers, the higher speeds, the number of moose and other animals in the area, and distracted or drunk drivers, Parks Highway is more dangerous than most. Rollover accidents are especially frequent. Here are just some of the fatal and injury Parks Highway car accidents that have occurred in the last 12 months alone:

August 13, 2015: A two vehicle collision near milepost 315 occurred as a pickup truck attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle in a no-passing zone. One passenger in the truck was injured.

August 23, 2015: A vehicle/moose collision near Trapper Creek resulted in four people being transported to the hospital. The moose went through the windshield, and a passenger was airlifted to the hospital.

September 6, 2015: A single vehicle rollover near mile 81 caused serious injuries to the driver and two passengers. After losing control, a northbound vehicle left the highway, went into a ditch, hit a culvert, and went airborne before coming to a stop. Three people were taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for emergency treatment.

October 16, 2015: A multiple vehicle accident around milepost 252.5 resulted in five serious but not life threatening injuries. A semi-truck with double trailers jack-knifed to avoid striking a disabled vehicle blocking traffic. The truck avoided the initial collision but further blocked the northbound lanes, which caused a multi-vehicle pileup.

November 2, 2015: A northbound semi-truck lost control on a curve, striking a southbound commercial truck. Both drivers were injured in the collision.

November 3, 2015: A jack-knifed semi-truck lost control when another driver suddenly pulled onto the highway. The semi-truck struck a pickup truck, seriously injuring the truck driver and a passenger.

December 1, 2015: Three people were killed in a two vehicle crash around the intersection of Parks Highway and S. Rainbow Street in Wasilla. A northbound vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes and crashed into a van, which caught fire. The driver of the northbound vehicle died, and Alaska State Troopers say they weren’t wearing a seatbelt. Two passengers in the van were also killed.

December 20, 2015: A speeding driver rolled over while driving around a curve near Cantwell. The vehicle blocked the northbound lanes of Parks Highway, and the driver was cited for speeding.

December 30, 2015: Two people were injured in a moose collision near Trapper Creek. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while a passenger was airlifted for emergency medical care.

April 28, 2016: A tractor-trailer and box van collided near milepost 194, resulting in the box fan catching fire. State troopers reported the van driver as deceased.