Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and Denali draw tourists to Alaska each year. While safety precautions are in play for tourists, not all injuries that occur while visiting Alaska are avoidable. The Alaska Department of Transportation reports that in 2010, there were 58 fatalities due to roadside injuries in the state of Alaska. However, roadside accidents are not the only cause of injuries in Alaska.
TOURISTS HAZARDS IN ALASKA
There are many hazards tourists face while visiting Alaska unique to the state.
- Construction Areas – Unmarked construction areas can lead to vehicular accidents. Further, tourists may wander into construction areas, suffering injuries.
- Drainage – Roads with inadequate drainage can result in frozen water and slippery surfaces. Both vehicles and pedestrians might slide, causing a variety of personal injuries.
- Groups of Tourists – The negligent action of groups can lead to traffic congestion, frightened animals, or various other conditions leading to injuries.
- Swimming – Recreation areas may not always include lifeguards. Not to mention, swimming in unfamiliar areas can prove hazardous.
- Wild Animals – Of the various wildlife present in Alaska, two of the most common types of animals tourists encounter are bear and moose. Encounters with these animals can lead to catastrophic injuries as well as potential fatalities.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
Depending on where and how injuries occur, some groups may be responsible.
- Tour Companies: If you suffer injuries while touring Alaska with a group, you may be able to file a claim against the organization or group running the tour. In this instance, you will need to prove several elements. First, you must prove the tour group owed a duty of care. Next, you must prove the duty of care was breached. Finally, the breach of care must be the cause of your injuries.
- State and National Park: Despite its strict guidelines, the Federal Tort Claims Act permits personal injury lawsuits against the federal government. As with tour groups, one will need to prove various elements establishing a legal claim. Additionally, various applicable provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act based on the accident would need review.
These hazards represent just a few of the dangers that might require professional counsel. With more than 25 years of experience helping injured Alaskans and tourists, Merdes Law Office, P.C. is the leading law firm for expert tourist injury lawyers in Alaska. If you are a tourist suffering injuries from a visit to Alaska, contact Merdes Law Office, P.C. at 866.452.3741 or visit www.Merdes.com for further information.
Photo by Beeblebrox [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
