IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA
AT [JUDICIAL DISTRICT / LOCATION]
[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
Case No.: __
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.
COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY – AUTO ACCIDENT
[// GUIDANCE: Insert the clerk’s assigned case number once received. Alaska civil complaints are filed in the Superior Court when damages exceed $100,000; otherwise, District Court jurisdiction may apply (AS 22.15.030).]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Parties .......................................................................................... 1
2. Jurisdiction and Venue ............................................................. 2
3. Factual Allegations ................................................................ 2
4. Causes of Action ................................................................... 4
• Count I – Negligence
• Count II – Negligence Per Se (optional)
5. Damages ............................................................................... 6
6. Comparative Fault Allegations ................................................ 7
7. Prayer for Relief .................................................................... 8
8. Jury Demand ....................................................................... 9
9. Reservation of Rights ............................................................ 9
10. Verification ..........................................................................10
11. Certificate of Service .............................................................11
- PARTIES
1.1 Plaintiff. [PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Plaintiff”) is an individual residing at [PLAINTIFF ADDRESS], [CITY], Alaska, and was at all relevant times the owner/operator/occupant of the motor vehicle identified herein.
1.2 Defendant. [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Defendant”) is an individual/corporation/limited liability company with a principal place of residence/business at [DEFENDANT ADDRESS], [CITY], [STATE].
a. If a business entity: Defendant is authorized to do business in Alaska and may be served through its registered agent: [REGISTERED AGENT NAME & ADDRESS].
b. If an out-of-state defendant: Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in Alaska under the state’s long-arm statute, Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 4(e).
[// GUIDANCE: Add additional defendants (e.g., employer, vehicle owner, UM/UIM carrier, governmental entity) in separately numbered paragraphs.]
- JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2.1 Subject-Matter Jurisdiction. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under AS 22.10.020(a) because the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
2.2 Personal Jurisdiction. Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction because Defendant (i) resides in Alaska; (ii) was served within the state; and/or (iii) committed the tortious acts giving rise to this lawsuit in Alaska.
2.3 Venue. Venue is proper in this judicial district under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 3 because the collision occurred in [COUNTY/JUDICIAL DISTRICT], and/or the Defendant resides or may be served here.
- FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
3.1 Date, Time, and Location. On [DATE OF ACCIDENT] at approximately [TIME], Plaintiff was operating a [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL] traveling [DIRECTION] on [STREET/HIGHWAY] near [LANDMARK/CROSS-STREET], [CITY], Alaska.
3.2 Defendant’s Conduct. Defendant was operating a [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL] traveling [DIRECTION] on the same roadway. Defendant:
a. Failed to maintain a proper lookout;
b. Operated the vehicle at an excessive and unsafe speed;
c. Violated Alaska Statute, municipal ordinance, and/or traffic regulation, including but not limited to [INSERT PARTICULAR STATUTE OR AMC SECTION, e.g., AS 28.35.040 (Careless Driving)];
d. Failed to yield the right-of-way;
e. [Other specific negligent acts].
3.3 Collision. Defendant’s vehicle struck Plaintiff’s vehicle [LOCATION OF IMPACT, e.g., “in the rear”], causing significant property damage and bodily injury to Plaintiff.
3.4 Injuries. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s negligence, Plaintiff sustained serious and permanent injuries, including but not limited to:
• [LIST DIAGNOSED INJURIES, e.g., cervical spine fracture, traumatic brain injury, etc.].
3.5 Medical Treatment & Expenses. Plaintiff has incurred past medical expenses of approximately $[AMOUNT] and anticipates future medical expenses of approximately $[AMOUNT], subject to further proof at trial.
3.6 Lost Earnings. Plaintiff was unable to work from [DATE] to [DATE] and lost wages of approximately $[AMOUNT]. Future earning capacity is diminished by approximately $[AMOUNT], subject to proof.
3.7 Non-Economic Harm. Plaintiff has experienced and will continue to experience pain, suffering, inconvenience, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
[// GUIDANCE: Include interim reference to medical lienholders, health insurers, or workers’ compensation carriers if subrogation is anticipated.]
- CAUSES OF ACTION
COUNT I – NEGLIGENCE
4.1 Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference ¶¶ 1–3.7.
4.2 Duty. Defendant owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care in the operation, maintenance, and control of the motor vehicle.
4.3 Breach. Defendant breached that duty through the negligent acts and omissions described above.
4.4 Causation. Defendant’s breaches were the actual and proximate cause of Plaintiff’s injuries and damages.
4.5 Damages. Plaintiff suffered property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses as described herein.
COUNT II – NEGLIGENCE PER SE (Optional)
4.6 Plaintiff realleges and incorporates ¶¶ 1–3.7.
4.7 Statutory Standard. Alaska traffic statutes, including but not limited to [AS 28.35.040] and applicable municipal ordinances, establish specific duties for motorists.
4.8 Violation. Defendant’s violation of these statutes/ordinances constitutes negligence per se.
4.9 Causation & Damages. The statutory violations were a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff’s injuries and damages as pleaded herein.
[// GUIDANCE: Plead additional counts (e.g., punitive damages, negligent entrustment, respondeat superior) as warranted by the facts.]
- DAMAGES
5.1 Economic Damages. Pursuant to AS 09.17.010(a), Plaintiff seeks full compensation for:
a. Past medical expenses: $[AMOUNT];
b. Future medical expenses: $[AMOUNT];
c. Past lost wages: $[AMOUNT];
d. Loss of future earning capacity: $[AMOUNT];
e. Property damage: actual repair/replacement costs $[AMOUNT];
f. Out-of-pocket and incidental expenses: $[AMOUNT].
5.2 Non-Economic Damages. Plaintiff seeks non-economic damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement, subject to the limitations set forth in AS 09.17.010(b). In the event Plaintiff’s injuries qualify as “severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement,” Plaintiff seeks the higher non-economic cap authorized by law (currently $1,000,000).
5.3 Punitive Damages. If discovery reveals Defendant’s conduct was outrageous, malicious, or evidenced reckless indifference to safety, Plaintiff will seek punitive damages consistent with AS 09.17.020, including the statutory requirement of bifurcation and clear-and-convincing proof.
[// GUIDANCE: Alaska law requires leave of court to plead punitive damages unless factually supported (Alaska Civ. R. 9(g)); consider amending later.]
- COMPARATIVE FAULT ALLEGATIONS
6.1 Alaska follows pure comparative fault principles. Plaintiff’s recovery, if any comparative negligence is attributed, shall be reduced only by the percentage of fault, if any, lawfully assigned to Plaintiff.
6.2 Plaintiff denies any negligence but pleads, in the alternative, that any such negligence was less than Defendant’s and/or is de minimis.
- PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant as follows:
a. Economic damages in an amount to be proven at trial;
b. Non-economic damages in an amount the jury deems just and reasonable, subject to statutory limits;
c. Punitive damages as the law and evidence may allow;
d. Pre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by AS 09.30.070;
e. Reasonable attorney fees and costs pursuant to Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 82;
f. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.
- JURY DEMAND
Pursuant to Article I, § 16 of the Alaska Constitution and Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 38, Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all issues so triable.
- RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint to assert additional claims or parties as discovery proceeds, and to conform pleadings to the evidence at trial under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 15.
- VERIFICATION
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], verify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed on __, 20_, at [CITY], Alaska.
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on __, 20_, a true and correct copy of the foregoing Complaint was served by:
☐ U.S. Mail ☐ Process Server ☐ Electronic Service (Rule 5.2)
upon:
[DEFENDANT/DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME & ADDRESS]
[ATTORNEY NAME], ABA No. __
Attorney for Plaintiff
SIGNATURE BLOCK
Respectfully submitted,
Date: __, 20_
[ATTORNEY NAME], ABA No. __
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Plaintiff
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm compliance with Alaska Bar Rule 43 regarding electronic signatures and Rule 4 for service of the summons and complaint. Attach a properly issued summons and civil case cover sheet (CIV-125) upon filing.]