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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
If I was in a single-vehicle car crash, do I have a case?

If I was in a single-vehicle car crash, do I have a case?

If you have been involved in a single car crash that occurred through no fault of yours, it may feel as though you don’t have any options for finding financial help to get you through the recovery process. Further, the insurance company and perhaps the authorities will likely figure that the crash was your fault, and it’s tough – as well as inadvisable – to argue against them on your own. A good personal injury lawyer knows that there are often more factors at work in a car crash, and a single vehicle collision is no different. Click here to learn how personal injury law works in your favor if your car crash was due to poor road maintenance.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Tips on how to be a safer boater

Tips on how to be a safer boater

It's up to boaters to prepare themselves for worst-case scenarios, and that begins with property boating safety. If you've never taken a boating safety course, every state and national boating agency will encourage you to do so - even if your state doesn't require it. If you're just taking a course to get your license, you're taking it for the wrong reason. Safety is much more important than a card in your wallet. Click here for classes and resources on how to avoid boating accidents.

Everett-Bellingham WA
How to handle hydroplaning on the freeway

How to handle hydroplaning on the freeway

Wet roadways, especially prevalent here in the Pacific Northwest, present some driving hazards that can catch drivers off guard. One of those hazards is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning means a loss of traction and sliding on a film of water. Wet road surfaces can cause tires to hydroplane. This could result in the loss of control and steering ability, as your tires may lose contact with the pavement, and an accident might happen within seconds. It's a scary feeling to suddenly feel your car hydroplaning, but here are some things you can do to recover control of your vehicle quickly.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Tips for motorists on sharing the road with bicyclists

Tips for motorists on sharing the road with bicyclists

As the weather warms, more people take their bicycles on the road, for commuting to work, helping the environment, exercise, recreation, and to save on automobile expenses. As bicycling gains in popularity, also on the rise is the likelihood of a crash with a car, truck, or other vehicle – and, so often, these crashes result in serious injury or death to the cyclist involved. In sharing the road with bicyclists, motorists can do a few simple things to make everyone's journey safer. Click here for tips on how to avoid common errors that drivers sometimes make that can result in serious injury or death.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Be careful when transporting fragile goods: wear a bicycle helmet

Be careful when transporting fragile goods: wear a bicycle helmet

Did you know that some cities do not require bicyclists to wear helmets? There is no state law mandating their use, either. This is surprising, due to statistics showing that “helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent,” according to the Bicycle Safety Helmet Institute, a volunteer advocacy group. Go here to learn how helmets protect you, and why you should never get on your bike without one.

Everett-Bellingham WA
The impossible texting and driving test

The impossible texting and driving test

I'd like to share this video that tells a compelling story about how it's impossible to text and drive at the same time.

"Plenty of people will crash, I'm telling you," says one student as he begins the test. He's right. Current statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's site on distracted drivingshow that each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,153 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.  Every day. 

Click here to see the video showing how impossible it is to safely text and drive at the same time.

Everett-Bellingham WA
How to handle a tailgater

How to handle a tailgater

Chances are, if you have driven on any road beyond your driveway, you’ve looked up in your rearview to see the front grill of the car behind you filling the mirror entirely. It’s irritating, nerve-racking, and unsafe. Sometimes drivers do it without knowing, especially if they are distracted, other times it’s obvious they are trying to get on your nerves. You aren’t responsible for another driver’s careless driving, but there are a few things you can try to get away from a tailgater.

Everett-Bellingham WA
Lots of Rain? Don't Hydroplane. Here's How You Can Drive Safely on Wet Roads

Lots of Rain? Don't Hydroplane. Here's How You Can Drive Safely on Wet Roads

Wet roadways present some driving hazards that can catch drivers off guard, especially hydroplaning. Hydroplaning means a loss of traction and sliding on a film of water. Wet road surfaces can cause tires to hydroplane. This could result in the loss of control and steering ability, as your tires may lose contact with the pavement. It's a scary feeling to suddenly feel your car hydroplaning, but here are some things you can do to recover quickly if you hydroplane.

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