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• 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...

• 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...

• 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...

• Snowmachiner Killed By Well Casing. The Law...

  Ward Merdes | October 22, 2007 4:14 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Stolach family needs to hire an accident reconstructionist.The Alaska State Troopers report that Dewey J. Staloch, 61,died Sunday after his snowmachine collided with a well casing. Mr. Staloch was declared dead at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, where he was taken after the accident on Calder Road in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough east of Wasilla.Troopers responded at 5:50 p.m. to a snowmachine...

• Wasilla Highway Claims Another Victim. Here's The law:

  Ward Merdes | October 19, 2007 3:22 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Other driver in Zehrung accident needs to hire an attorney ASAP.The Associated Press reports that 24-year-old Denis L Zehrung was killed in a two-car crash this morning on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Alaska State Troopers say Zehrung was westbound at mile 6.5 when her vehicle crossed the center line and hit another vehicle nearly head-on. The other driver has been hospitalized. Here is what the...

• Slow Down Fairbanks...

  Ward Merdes | October 13, 2007 7:45 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Fairbanks is experiencing a rash of motor vehicle accidents, horrible injuries and deaths. The new snow is (again) forcing folks to test their skills in traffic. Please slow down as you renew your winter driving skills. In case you didn't get that, let me repeat ... SLOW DOWN. The phone in our law office is ringing off the hook with callers who have been hurt in wrecks. Folks are getting hurt,...

• Ft. Richardson Soldier Dies in Iraq Car Crash. What His Family Needs To Know About Insurance Claims...

  Ward Merdes | October 12, 2007 7:40 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  The AP reports that Jason M. Lantieri died 10/10/07 in Iraq - from injuries suffered in a car crash. Sgt. Lantieri was stationed in Ft. Richardson, Alaska. His family should closely examine its right to bring insurance claim(s) for this loss. Specifically, Sgt. Lantieri's family should consider bringing Uninsured Motorist claims under all policies that may apply to this wreck. Those insurance...

• Civil Law Issues Related To the Garner Homicide Trial

  Ward Merdes | October 04, 2007 8:10 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Kevin Garner is on trial for his involvement in Catherine Ahsoak's death. It is alleged that Garner was intoxicated when he ran over Ahsoak on a Fairbanks street. At the same time, Ahsoak had blood levels of Alcohol and Benadryl. She was also deaf. Ahsoak was allegedly dragged for blocks under Garner's vehicle. This is what Ahsoak's family needs to know about related insurance claims:First,...

• Rick Meshew killed in Alaska Conveyer Belt Accident

  Ward Merdes | September 24, 2007 11:23 AM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  There was a tragic accident at a Matanuska-Susitna gravel pit on Thursday. The AP reports that Rich Meshew was killed in a conveyer belt accident. He apparently became tangled in the belt and died of related trauma. Accidents like this have been happening with greater frequency of late. It's a shame that owners /operators of such dangerous equipment fail to improve the safety of such devices....

• Back To School Auto Insurance - Buy This...

  Ward Merdes | September 01, 2007 7:00 PM | 0 CommentsFairbanks, AK

  Buy more automobile insurance. You and your family need it.With kids going back to school, parents in Alaska need to worry about personal injuries, automobile wrecks and even wrongful death claims. To protect your kids - and you - be sure to discuss the following insurance with your insurance agent. It costs very little more than the minimums that most insurers try to sell you - and it gives you...