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 Resources

Everett-Bellingham WA

Lane closures cause blood pressure to rise - here's a good way to prevent road rage

One of the frequent occurrences on roads is lane closures. A necessary evil, as the roads must be maintained. How many of you give the stink-eye to those drivers who seem to ignore the lane closure signs, refusing to get over until the cones push them to cut in front of you? Wouldn’t it feel better to not let them in? At all, ever? Well, as most Department of Transportations will tell you, the most efficient way to get over is to wait until the end, actually. While it looks rude, it’s actually faster and safer. It is called “zipper merging” and, like the teeth of a zipper seamlessly coming together, you may imagine the cars shuffling in that same way. This is how it works, and it's a good way to prevent road rage and collisions that might come of it.

Everett-Bellingham WA

Pedestrian vs. Driver - who's at fault?

It’s unavoidable that motor vehicles and those on foot have to share the same roads sometimes. Almost every time that a collision occurs between them, the pedestrian receives far more damage – and sometimes dies – while the driver is unhurt. However, does this mean that it’s the driver who is also usually at fault? Sometimes it’s very clear who is at fault, such as in cases that involve drunk or distracted driving, or other illegal behaviors. Other times, it’s not so cut and dried. So how is fault determined in car accidents with pedestrians? Several factors come into play.

Everett-Bellingham WA

Accidents that involve children are some of the hardest

Seeing children hurt is too painful for many of us to bear. When a child is hurt – or killed – in an accident, the loss is catastrophic and feels at times insurmountable to the survivors. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and feel there is no hope. While no one can undo what’s done, there may be help to get you through this time. If the crash occurred because of someone’s negligence, especially in cases of drunk or distracted driving, or poor road safety, the injured child or the survivors may be able to file a claim or lawsuit. Click to learn more.

Everett-Bellingham WA

How is a personal representative appointed in a wrongful death claim? [Interview]

If your loved one has been killed in an accident, you are probably hearing about this term "personal representative" perhaps for the first time. How is a personal representative appointed after a wrongful death claim? It's a legal process, not an automatic one. A personal representative must file a petition with the court asking to be appointed. Along with the petition, the court must be provided all supporting documents related to the death (i.e., certificate and will). The process can be complex even at a highly emotional and stressful time. To learn more about appointing a personal representative after a wrongful death claim, click to watch this video interview.

Everett-Bellingham WA

If someone is speeding and hits you, it is almost guaranteed they are at fault

Speed limits are not just recommendations, but established rules that all drivers are expected to follow while operating their vehicles on US roads. Many factors are considered by the engineers who set the limits, such as the road’s characteristics; how wide the shoulder might be, if there is one at all; road grade; and the length of a driver’s line of sight. The limits are set very carefully after an assessment of all these factors, and are meant to keep everyone safe while maintaining a healthy flow of traffic as much as possible. Speeding is against the law. However, some drivers speed, and if you are hit by a speeder, you might be facing a long, arduous recovery. If you're wondering if help is available, click the link to learn more.

Everett-Bellingham WA

Highway crashes happen all too often throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County

Getting on the freeway system is a gamble every time. Every driver relies on other drivers to make good decisions, remain focused on driving, and follow the law at all times. If not, the consequences can be critically dangerous due to so many vehicles traveling at high speed. One moment of carelessness can lead to many catastrophic injuries, and even death. As I-5 travels through Bellingham, Whatcom and Skagit Counties, high speed collisions are not  uncommon. Have you been involved in a car crash on the highway? You may be wondering what to do next.

Everett-Bellingham WA

When a train is involved, Bellingham wrecks usually have catastrophic results

Here in Bellingham and all through Whatcom and Skagit Counties, we share space with trains. Unfortunately, accidents happen. Sometimes it’s a defect in the track. Other times, equipment failure. Sometimes a crash is due to a driver’s error. Railroad companies will hire a team of private investigators to assess train crossing accidents, and are ready to employ them at the scene of any accident. Because of the nature of these collisions, the unfortunate fact is that most train accidents have tragic results. It may be that you must file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to receive money the train company does not want to pay. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to receive a significant settlement for the both economic and non-economic damages. It’s an enormous challenge to have to advocate for yourself or your loved ones after such a crisis, and the last things you need after this kind of accident are long negotiations and battles with the railroad company. If you are involved in an accident between a car and a train, you may want to discuss your legal options with a lawyer before trying to fight the railroad companies alone.

Everett-Bellingham WA

The role of a personal representative in a wrongful death suit explained [Interview]

In this video, personal injury lawyer Bill Coats talks about what the personal representative's role and responsibilities are in wrongful death claims. His advice? Hire an attorney to bring forth any claims for negligence. An attorney is the person best equipped with the legal knowledge and credentials to file the correct documents in court in a timely fashion. 

The best and most experienced personal injury lawyer will be the best advocate for the personal representative and other beneficiaries on the claim. It's critical to hire someone who has the knowledge and skills to reach the best and highest settlement. This is how to recoup financial losses both past and future due to accidents from someone else's negligence. 

Everett-Bellingham WA

Tips on preventing ejection from the vehicle in case of a crash

We trust that, when we buckle up in a car, it’s about keeping safer in case of an accident. When the safety systems – especially seat belts – work properly, we avoid what too often become devastating injuries. But these types of failures do occur. No one wants to be in a catastrophic accident that throws driver or passengers from the car. Some crashes are so violent, however, that it’s impossible to stay in the vehicle. There are some things to do to help prevent ejections during a crash, and please make a habit of the following behaviors every time you get into anything on wheels.

Everett-Bellingham WA

Cases involving elderly drivers have particular challenges

Bellingham is well-suited for retirees. The pace of life here is relaxed, the environment is beautiful with so many ways to enjoy it. Many choose to leave big cities and their problems behind in their later years.  However, when a driver – at any age – doesn’t pay heed to their limitations and injures someone as a result, this may constitute negligence or break a law. If you are the victim in a car accident case like this, you may be entitled to damages that resulted. 

Most recent accident reports

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

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

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
Type: Car Accident

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
Type: Car Accident

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.

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
Type: Car Accident

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

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
Type: Car Accident

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

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
City: 
Deming, 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.

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

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

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

The Oct. 31 crash on Highway 20 that killed one Oak Harbor teenager near Anacortes has now claimed the life of her twin sister.

Date: 
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Roadway: 
Highway 20