Automobile Accidents

• 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,...

• 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...

• Crash On Glenn Highway Kills Three

  Jane Schneider | January 14, 2008 12:37 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Allan Chase Sr., 71, His wife Sophia, 68, and their granddaughter, Melissa Pike, 16, all died of their serious injuries suffered in a three-car crash, about a mile north of the Parks Highway intersection, Saturday. The crash was caused by Joshua Swigart, 26, of Anchorage, who, like his passenger, was uninjured. Swigart's pickup crossed the center line and sideswiped the Chase vehicle, causing...

• Driver Dead of Injuries In Sterling Highway Crash

  Jane Schneider | January 07, 2008 12:51 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  David Chapman, 43, was northbound on the Sterling Highway near mile 85 when his vehicle fishtailed on the icy road when he attempted to stop for a vehicle in front of him turning west. He slid into the oncoming lane and was hit by a southbound tractor trailer. Chapman was pronounced dead at the scene. Unless the turning vehicle stopped abruptly and without warning, there is little Chapman's...

• Driver Dead After Losing Control on Knik-Goose Bay Road

  Jane Schneider | January 04, 2008 12:34 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Just before 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Kathryn Gilgus was Northbound on the Knik-Goose Bay Road. She lost control on an icy curve and was hit head on by a vehicle driven by Richard Tingstad of Wasilla. Gilgus died of her injuries. If Tingstad was seriously injured, he could use the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. He could claim the limits of Gilgus' liability coverage. If he...

• Head On Crash Takes Life on Kenai

  Jane Schneider | December 07, 2007 12:06 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Late Saturday night Ashley Falgout, 63, was driving Northbound on the Kenai Spur Highway close to its intersection with Thunder Road. 46 year old Frances Yost was driving Southbound, crossed the center line and caused a crash that killed Falgout and sent Yost and her 16 year old female passenger to the hospital.Falgout's survivors have a wrongful death claim against Yost that can be asserted by...

• 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...

• Drunk Driver Kills Fairbanks Man

  Jane Schneider | December 03, 2007 6:22 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Trent Knutson is alleged to have been over three times the legal alcohol limit when he drove through a red light Friday night at 36th and A in Anchorage. The resulting crash put the other driver, Jack Body, in the hospital and took the life of Body's passenger, Timothy Oates, of Fairbanks. Knutson faces DUI, first degree assault and second degree murder charges. But his conviction won't be...

• 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...