All Topics

• Smart Folks File Uninsured Motorist Claims ...

  Ward Merdes | February 10, 2008 7:47 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Almost all automobile insurance includes "Uninsured Motorist" (UM) or "Underinsured Motorist" (UIM) coverage. Yet, most people who buy this insurance fail to file a claim when they are hurt by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Here's what you need to knowUM/UIM coverage is personal. All it requires is that you were hurt by another person who was driving a motor vehicle. You don't need to be...

• Alaska Republicans: Poor People Worth Less Than Rich People...

  Ward Merdes | January 19, 2008 5:57 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Alaska's House/Senate and the Governor's mansion have been occupied by a Republican majority for more than decade. A few years ago, they decided that, in the name of "accountability" - Poor Folks are Worth Less than Rich Folks." This one must be changed...At the urging of the national automobile insurance companies and the Chamber of Commerce, Alaskan Republicans decided that people who are...

• Alaska's Glenn Highway Kills Three, Injures Two More...

  Ward Merdes | January 19, 2008 5:45 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The Alaska State Troopers report that three people died Saturday and two others were hurt in a crash on the Glenn Highway. The accident occurred a mile north of the Palmer-Wasilla interchange. A late model Chevy pickup, driven by 26-year-old Joshua Swigart of Anchorage was apparently heading south when it crossed the center line and sideswiped a Subaru. The three dead, who were riding in a 2002...

• Knutson Charged With Vehicular Murder of Fairbanks Man

  Ward Merdes | December 03, 2007 6:58 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  KTTU Anchorage reports that Tim Oates, a long-time Fairbanksan, was killed in a motor vehicle wreck Sunday. The crash was caused by Trent Knutson. Mr. Knutson faces assault, drunk driving and murder charges. Here is what the Oates family should be doing...Investigate what insurance carrier covers Mr. Knutson - and file a claim ASAP - in writing. Then, file a claim against Mr. Oates' own...

• Semi-Truck Collision Kills Marvin Harris. What His Family Should Do...

  Ward Merdes | December 02, 2007 4:40 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The Anchorage Daily News reports that Marvin Harris, 52, was killed on 11/29/07 while driving a semi southbound at mile 53 of the Dalton Highway. The oncoming trailer was being pulled by Jason Knight, 34 of Fairbanks. Knight was driving a 2006 Freightliner. It appears that Knight's trailer drifted into the Southbound (oncoming) lane occupied by Harris, killing Harris on impact. Harris was...

• Woody Trefon Killed by Four-Wheeler. Here's What His Family Needs To Know:

  Ward Merdes | December 01, 2007 8:02 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The Anchorage Daily News reports that 20 year old Woody Trefon was killed in Nondalton, Alaska on Tuesday - run over by a four-wheeler driven by his cousin, 19 year old Sean Trefon. Woody's family needs to...First, see how the accident occurred. If there is any indication that Sean was doing anything wrong - driving while intoxicated - driving without paying close attention - driving at the...

• The Family Trust - Who's Sticking It To Whom?

  Ward Merdes | December 01, 2007 1:01 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  From an attorney's perspective, the key is tracking what the surviving spouse did with the money. If he/she simply treated the money as his/her own - and spent it however he/she saw fit, huge problems await down the road. You see, the minute the first spouse died, the trust was set in stone. Rules became important. Sadly, these rules are rarely followed - and the kids lose out. Here is what...

• Christopher Jenkins Killed by Gifford. Claims To File

  Ward Merdes | November 21, 2007 1:16 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The AP reports that Matthew Brent Gifford was charged with second degree murder in the automobile related death of Christopher Jenkins in April. Gifford apparently had alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs in his system when Jenkins was killed. Jenkins' family needs to hire a good personal injury attorney NOW, and ...1. File liability claims against Gifford's insurer. Be sure to...

• What Horace Field's Family Needs To Do, Now.

  Ward Merdes | November 19, 2007 9:21 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  KTUU of Anchorage reports that Horace Field, 45 of Noorvik may have been drinking when he was struck, dragged and killed by a semi-truck last week. While this sounds bad for any related claims, Mr. Field's family needs to immediately...1. Find an Accident Reconstruction (AR) expert. That expert will view the scene, the statement, the police report and surveillance footage from the nearby FBI...

• Are Alaskan Drivers Getting More Stupid, or Just Better Connected?

  Ward Merdes | November 11, 2007 8:16 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  A friend phoned me today, complaining that in his 30 years in Fairbanks, Alaska - he has never seen such poor driving as he's encountered this winter. "Ward, are folks just getting stupid, or what?" "Just yesterday, another person was killed on the Steese. How many will it take before folks stop talking on their cell phones?" I also had a phone call from a woman who was literally run over by a...