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Everett-Bellingham WA - Accident News and Resources including car, bicycle, motorcycle and truck accidents and much more.

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties comprise the Pacific Northwest Interior

Across these diverse counties, residents and visitors encounter gorgeous mountain views, extensive waterways, the beautiful Puget Sound, and the vast network of San Juan Islands.

Whatcom County, Washington, on the border with Canada, is an established college town with a growing population

Whatcom County has a population of approximately 200,000. The county seat and largest city is Bellingham. The county name ultimately derives from the Lummi word Xwotʼqom, meaning "noisy water."

The largest industries in Whatcom County include manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Whatcom County is the location of Western Washington University.

Island County - A unique and beautiful region composed entirely of islands

As of the 2010 census, its population was 78,506. Its county seat is Coupeville, while its largest city is Oak Harbor. Its name reflects the fact that it is composed entirely of islands. It contains two large islands, Whidbey and Camano, and seven smaller islands - Baby, Ben Ure, Deception, Kalamut, Minor, Smith, and Strawberry.

San Juan County - A beautiful maritime archipelago of 743 islands

San Juan County is a county located in the Salish Sea in the far northwestern corner of Washington State. As of the 2010 census, its population was 15,769. Of the hundreds of islands in the county,  only 60 islands are inhabited.

Skagit County - Situated between near the majestic Cascade Mountains, the fertile Skagit Valley, and the powerful Skagit River

Skagit County, with a population of 116,901, is situated in the gorgeous Skagit Valley. The county seat and largest city is Mount Vernon. The majestic Cascade Mountains stand to the east, overlooking a fertile valley boasting a variety of agricultural crops. Running through the valley is the powerful Skagit River flowing westward toward the beautiful San Juan Islands.

Snohomish County - Home of the world's largest aerospace-industry manufacturing facility

Snohomish County, with a population of 772,501, is the third-most populous county in Washington. The county seat and largest city is Everett. The county is located between the sparkling blue waters of Puget Sound and the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Snohomish County begins 12 miles north of Seattle, a little under 100 miles south of Vancouver, and a short ferry ride away from the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Peninsula. Snohomish County is home to over 20,000 businesses, ranging from small family farms specializing in organic foods, to the world’s largest advanced manufacturing facility producing state-of art aerospace equipment.

The region's climate can contribute to accidents throughout the Northwest Interior

The climate is generally mild and typical of the Puget Sound region. The year-long average daily high and low temperatures are 59 and 44.1 °F. The western region of the Northwest Interior has a marine oceanic climate that is strongly influenced by the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains, and gets an average of 42 inches of rain per year.

In Accident Data Center, find recent accidents at the links below:

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County car accidents;

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County pedestrian accidents;

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County motorcycle accidents;

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County bicycle accidents;

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County train accidents;

Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish County truck accidents.

When someone is injured in an accident in the region, it is important to gather information about what happens next.

Being injured in a serious accident is always a shocking and scary experience, and dealing with the aftermath is exhausting and stressful. Accident victims are forced to deal with hospitalization, medical treatments, missed work, and lost income, often while trying to manage pain and disability from their injuries. And then the insurance adjusters start circling. Find out more about accidents and what issues an injured person needs to be aware of by going to this link.

What to do after a serious injury accident in Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, or Snohomish County

When someone has been injured or killed in a motor-vehicle collision, the accident victim and their family members are left with medical bills, lost income, and other costs. It is important to get legal assistance to help the accident victim recover, or when the accident is fatal, to help the family members get fully compensated for their losses. Learn more about how a Pacific Northwest personal injury attorney will help injured victims and families.

State: 
Washington

Legal Data Center

Top 7 reasons to hire an experienced personal injury attorney
What every family needs to know about a wrongful death case
When a bicycle accident is fatal, survivors have hard decisions to make
Twelve tips to improve your personal injury claim
If a loved one died in an accident, this could be considered a wrongful death

Accident reports by county

Island County, WA - 15
San Juan County, WA - 2
Skagit County, WA - 113
Snohomish County, WA - 328
Whatcom County, WA - 156

Legal Resources

Everett-Bellingham WA
Washington State's laws on distracted driving - more than the cost of the fine

Washington State's laws on distracted driving - more than the cost of the fine

Many auto accidents in Bellingham, Washington and Whatcom County happen because of distracted driving. Distracted driving is not limited to actively texting or using an electronic device, but includes talking on a phone, or any activity that takes a driver’s attention from the act of driving. According to Distraction.Gov, at any given moment during daylight hours, over 660,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone. To learn more about distracted driving in Whatcom County and the laws that help prevent it, click here.

Everett-Bellingham WA
When a car and train collide, the results can be deadly

When a car and train collide, the results can be deadly

Trains' whistles are often heard in Bellingham, and all through Whatcom County as well as Skagit County. As we are located in a busy corridor for trains traveling along the coast, their visits through here are increasingly frequent. Where cars and trains meet, sometimes deadlly accidents occur. Learn more about what factors can cause accidents at railroad crossings, and how dangerous it is for cars in an accident with a train.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to fatal injuries from reckless drivers

Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable to fatal injuries from reckless drivers

Washington has a rich and varied landscape, from gorgeous beaches to some of the most incredible mountains in the country. Bellingham and the environs surrounding it in Whatcom and Skagit Counties is blessed with both land and sea, making it a wonderful place in which to work and play. Many residents enjoy traveling these landscapes by motorcycle. While most every ride is a wonderful way and safe experience, every time bikers get on the road, they are at the mercy of other drivers in vehicles that weight on average four tons. In a crash with one of them, the odds seriously are stacked against the motorcycle driver. Terribly, sometimes this means fatal injuries for the motorcycle driver who is involved in a wreck with a car or truck.

Everett-Bellingham WA
A graying population means more older drivers on the roads

A graying population means more older drivers on the roads

If we live to a certain age, it will happen to all of us. Sight and hearing become diminished, and reaction time gets longer. There are more cars on most roads, which means more potential hazards from other drivers. Even speed limits are set higher on many highways than they were decades ago. All these factors combine to make driving dangerous for anyone, but it’s especially risky for those who have diminished senses. For more information on car accidents involving elderly drivers, go here.

Everett-Bellingham WA
A broadside collision is especially dangerous for a motorcycle

A broadside collision is especially dangerous for a motorcycle

Motorcycles do not have the same protection all around them that other vehicles do. Even a tap from a car or truck can result in the motorcycle driver losing control, hitting another object such as a car or guardrail, and getting into a bad wreck that leaves the other driver unscathed. Typically it is the other driver who is at fault in these kinds of broadside collisions, which makes recouping losses more straightforward. However, before you attempt to recover your losses yourself through the maze of insurance policies and protocols, consult with a skilled lawyer. For more information on what to do if you've been broadsided while driving a motorcycle, click here.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Crashes involving a single motorcyclist don't always mean it's the driver's fault

Crashes involving a single motorcyclist don't always mean it's the driver's fault

There is a bias out there about motorcyclists, and some unfortunately do ignore speed limits or safety requirements, much like any driver. So if you are involved in a single motorcycle crash, does this automatically mean you are the only one at fault? There are certain considerations that may apply, and there could be more to your accident than is obvious. To learn more about what to do after you were involved in a single motorcycle crash, click here.

Everett-Bellingham WA
If a loved one has been killed while riding a motorcycle, you are suffering too

If a loved one has been killed while riding a motorcycle, you are suffering too

Each time bikers get on the road, they are at the mercy of other drivers in cars that weigh on average four tons - not to mention tracks and semi-tractor trailers. In a crash with one of them, the odds seriously are stacked against the motorcycle driver. Terribly, sometimes this means fatal injuries for the motorcycle driver. If a loved one has been killed while on a motorcycle, chances are you dealing with painful grief and worry. Though nothing can bring back your family as it was before, help is available for the survivor's journey.

Everett-Bellingham WA
When your spine is injured after a motorcycle wreck, everything is different

When your spine is injured after a motorcycle wreck, everything is different

Spinal cord injuries are some of the worst kinds that accident victims suffer. Because of the factors present in motorcycle accidents, too often they tragically occur. Motorcyclists simply lack the protection that cars and trucks have, and when bikers are hit, their injuries are significant. While many injuries can be dramatically obvious after a motorcycle, wreck, some take longer to show signs. Not all back injuries are immediately apparent after an accident. It takes some time for the initial shock of the accident to wear off. But the first moments after such a crash are critical in getting medical attention. If nerve damage occurs, movement, breathing, and other motor functions can be affected, and sometimes with lifelong consequence. The faster an injured person can get medical attention, the better the long term prognosis. Don’t play the tough guy and try to walk it off. Learn  your options for what to do after a hurt back from a motorcycle wreck.

Everett-Bellingham WA
One of the most dangerous places of all for a motorcyclist is also impossible to avoid while riding

One of the most dangerous places of all for a motorcyclist is also impossible to avoid while riding

Intersections. How many of them do you go through on the average trip through town or beyond?  The vast majority of motorcycle collisions happen at intersections. Imagine that you’re on a motorcycle, turning left when a much bigger, heavier vehicle such as a car or truck comes barreling through and hits you. These kinds of accidents are hard on someone in a fully enclosed vehicle, but can be absolutely devastating to someone on a bike. If the person who hit you did so out of negligence or recklessness, you may be due a substantial payout for your injuries and losses from the at-fault party. How will you find out? Reading the article is a great place to start.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Being hit from behind on a motorcycle can have devastating consequences

Being hit from behind on a motorcycle can have devastating consequences

It’s not always so cut and dry who is at fault in a rear-end collision. Usually it’s the fault of the driver who was following behind. Sometimes it’s easy to determine, but other cases have other complications. The insurance companies, you can rest assured, have a group of people whose job it is to find loopholes where there is a gray area. And just about every case has some gray area. So what do you do if you have been hit by someone from  behind when you were on a motorcycle? Find out here.

Most recent accident reports

29-year-old man, 32-year-old woman slightly injured, taken to hospital; Robert Allen Lee, 23, arrested, after leaving the scene of a two-car crash on Squalicum Parkway in Bellingham.

A police dog sniffed out a felon suspected of causing a hit-and-run crash that injured two people Tuesday morning, April 8, near St. Joseph hospital.

Date: 
Monday, April 7, 2014
Roadway: 
Squalicum Parkway
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident

Francisca S. Rabang-Warbus, 36, Thomas R. Warbus, 36, both passengers, seriously injured, transported to hospital, after their car collides with a vehicle, driven by Jaden Tiechert, 24, on Britton Rd. and the Mt. Baker Highway in Bellingham.

Two people were injured Wednesday morning, April 2, when two cars collided on Mount Baker Highway at Britton Road. A westbound 1994 Honda Accord was turning left onto Britton Road at about 11:05 a.m.

Date: 
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Roadway: 
Mount Baker Highway at Britton Road
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Seat Belt Usage

Joel R. Swenson, 33, a passenger in car driven by Aaron C. Loffler, 35, injured, taken to hospital, after their car leaves the Alderwood Ave. roadway and crashes into a power pole.

A Bellingham man was arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault after a passenger in his car was injured in a suspected drunk driving crash early Thursday, March 13. Aaron C.

Date: 
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Roadway: 
Alderwood Avenue
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use

Bernadette M. Casavant, 60, from Surrey, B.C., seriously injured when her car crashes into a guardrail on Slater Road at the I-5 interchange in Ferndale.

A woman from Surrey, B.C., was knocked unconscious when she crashed her car into a guardrail at the Slater Road interchange Friday afternoon, Feb. 28. Bernadette M.

Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Roadway: 
Slater Road/I-5 interchange
City: 
Ferndale, WA
Type: Car Accident

Car crashes into the entrance of a U.S. post office in downtown Bellingham. No injuries reported.

A car crashed into the south entrance of the U.S. post office on Prospect Street at about 11 a.m. Feb. 28, according to several witness reports.

As of 3 p.m., the post office was open and serving people through the north entrance.

Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Roadway: 
Prospect Street
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident

Thomas Peter Tom, 57, arrest for DUI after his speeding truck rolls over on Roeder Ave. in Bellingham.

A 57-year-old man faces charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence after a rollover crash Thursday night, Feb. 27, on Roeder Avenue.

Date: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Roadway: 
Roeder Ave.
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use

Whatcom County Fire Dept. SUV damaged on icy roadway while responding to aid call. No injuries reported.

A Whatcom County Fire District 7 SUV was damaged in a crash Tuesday morning, Feb. 11, when it slid on a patch of ice as it was responding to a crash, according to district officials.

Date: 
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Roadway: 
Mountain View and Church Road
City: 
Ferndale, WA
Type: Car Accident

Taylor Armstrong 23, one other male, airlifted to hospital in serious condition, Charles Wicklander 24, transported to hospital with minor injuries, after their Jeep crashed down 200 foot embankment near the Mt. Baker Ski Area.

A helicopter airlifted a 23-year-old man to St. Joseph Hospital Tuesday afternoon when a Jeep crashed about 200 feet over an embankment near the Mt. Baker Ski Area.

Date: 
Monday, February 10, 2014
Roadway: 
Mt. Baker Highway
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Seat Belt Usage

Below freezing temperatures and snowfall cause accidents and poor driving conditions in Whatcom County.

A sudden snowfall just before dawn Friday, Feb. 7 has created hazardous driving conditions and put school buses on snow routes in the Bellingham and Lummi Nation school districts.

Date: 
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Roadway: 
Unknown
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident

David L. Rebman, Colin J. Golden injured, taken to hospital, after their pickup slides into ditch and strikes embankment off Blaine Road

Two men were injured when their pickup truck went off Blaine Road, sliding into a ditch and hitting an embankment early Monday, Feb. 3. David L.

Date: 
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Roadway: 
Blaine Road
City: 
Blaine, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use, Seat Belt Usage

Ashleigh N. Graham 27, killed when her car leaves roadway, strikes embankment, and crashes into ditch.

A Maple Falls woman died after crashing her car into an embankment off Mount Baker Highway early Thursday, Jan. 30. Ashleigh N. Graham, 27, was driving west in the 8700 block of the highway at about 12:40 a.m.

Date: 
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Roadway: 
Mt. Baker Highway
City: 
Deming, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Seat Belt Usage

Hannah Dashiell killed after two-car crash and fire in Bellingham, WA.

One person was killed when their car caught on fire after striking another vehicle on Barkley Boulevard Sunday morning, Jan. 5. One vehicle was headed down the hill on Barkley Boulevard around 9:55 a.m.

Date: 
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Roadway: 
Barkley Blvd.
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Weather Conditions

Travis Lee Holst, 23, and Brox Mitchell Browning, 20, killed in head-on crash on Guide Meridian in Bellingham, WA

A head-on crash on Guide Meridian left two young men dead early Tuesday, Dec. 31, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Date: 
Monday, December 30, 2013
Roadway: 
Guide Meridian
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Head-on, High-Speed/Excessive Speed

Charles Ostrander, 29, struck by car on Samish Way in Bellingham, Washington

A Bellingham man who hit a pedestrian with his car on Samish Way Saturday night, Dec. 21, was booked into jail on suspicion of vehicular assault.

Date: 
Friday, December 20, 2013
Roadway: 
Samish Way
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Pedestrian Accident
Topics: 
DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use

Emma Briceno, 25, critically injured in Bellingham hit-and-run car accident on E. Chestnut Street and Railroad Avenue

A pedestrian was critically injured in a hit-and-run in Bellingham early Sunday. A suspect was later arrested. Bellingham Police say officers found a 25-year-old Ferndale woman at 1:47 a.m. at the intersection of E.

Date: 
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Roadway: 
E. Chestnut Street
City: 
Bellingham, WA
Type: Pedestrian Accident
Topics: 
Hit and Run