All Topics

• Alaskan Auto Wreck in Seldovia. The Passenger's Rights:

  Ward Merdes | May 01, 2008 12:00 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The Homer Alaska News reports that a 04/24/08, single-car crash killed Seldovia resident Laramie Morrison, 28, and injured his passenger, Sonny Agli, 29. The wreck occurred when Morrison lost...

• No Insurance For Your Injuries? Think Again...

  Ward Merdes | April 18, 2008 1:50 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Insurance companies sell Alaskan Uninsured Motorist Insurance. Unfortunately, they never tell their clients what it does for them - and never admit that it's there to help their injured clients...

• Turn Tightly - Then Change Lanes

  Ward Merdes | April 18, 2008 1:39 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Here's a driving irritant that has been killing me... When did it become OK to "turn wide" (pardon the grammar)? The driving law in Alaska, and (I've got to believe) every other state makes it...

• Tok Snowmobile Wreck...

  Ward Merdes | March 26, 2008 10:21 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The AP reports that Tok resident Kenneth Albright, 41, was killed when his snowmobile collided with a pickup truck in Tok. The passenger on Albright's snowmobile was also injured. That passenger needs to IMMEDIATELY contact an attorney who will investigate this wreck. Do it before evidence is lost. Also, there is a two year Statute of Limitations for related claims. Insurance likely covers the...

• Insurance Adjuster Being Unfair?

  Ward Merdes | March 06, 2008 7:01 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  After a motor vehicle wreck in Alaska, many folks try to deal with insurance adjusters on the phone. The problem is that insurance adjusters are trained to always say "No." It's in their blood. Don't feel bad when they tell you "No" - or if they tell you that your injury "just isn't worth that much..." It doesn't matter how badly you are hurt - if it's a head injury, broken / fractured bones,...

• 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...