Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham | Tario & Associates, P.S.

by Michael TarioJune 25, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Collision Caused by a Senior Driver

In 2021 more than 20 percent of licensed drivers in the United States were 65 or older, representing about 47 million drivers. That number is estimated to grow to 73 million by the year 2030. While we celebrate a long lifespan, people living well into their 80s and 90s can outlive their ability to drive safely by seven to 10 years due to natural cognitive, visual, hearing, and physical declines.

If you or a loved one was involved in a collision caused by a senior driver, you may be feeling unsure about pursuing an injury claim out of sympathy for the driver. An experienced car accident attorney can review your case and explain your legal rights.

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by Michael TarioJune 12, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Whatcom County Street Racing Arrests Shine Light on Risk of Street Racing Accidents

Street racing is an illegal and dangerous activity that puts the drivers and passengers involved in the race as well as innocent pedestrians, cyclists, riders, and other motorists and their passengers in grave danger. When drivers engage in high-speed racing on public streets, they drastically reduce their ability to react to unexpected situations, which increases the chance that they will lose control of their vehicle and cause street racing accidents. The intense speeds and aggressive maneuvers associated with road racing can lead to street racing accidents, resulting in catastrophic injuries and even fatalities.

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by Michael TarioJune 9, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident or Scooter Accident

National Ride to Work Day is Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Every year, motorcycle and scooter riders are encouraged to trade in their cars or trucks on the second Tuesday of June to celebrate the benefits of commuting on two wheels. While riding can be fun and fuel-efficient, it also comes with risks. Riders have far less protection than people in cars, making them more likely to suffer serious injuries in a motorcycle accident or scooter accident. Even a low-speed crash can cause serious injuries. Broken bones, road rash, head injuries, and back injuries are common. Recovery often means medical bills and missed work, which can lead to financial stress.

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by Michael TarioMay 18, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Why Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Is Essential for Washington Motorcyclists

In honor of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, let’s talk about how important it is for riders to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer severe injuries in a crash than occupants of enclosed vehicles because motorcycles lack the protective structure, crumple zones, and safety restraints found in cars. Unfortunately, serious injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and lost wages due to time off of work recovering. In some cases, permanent disability and/or care expenses may apply.

In a perfect world, every driver would carry car insurance with coverage limits high enough to fully cover the damages they cause in an accident, but that isn’t always the reality. UM/UIM acts as a vital financial safety net against uninsured and underinsured drivers by covering high medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when another driver’s insurance is insufficient.

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by Michael TarioApril 30, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

4,900 Youth ATVs Recalled after Fatal ATV Accident

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are popular for recreation and off-road fun, especially among young riders. However, they also come with serious risks that families should understand. According to national safety data, thousands of ATV-related injuries occur each year in the United States, and hundreds of people are killed in a fatal ATV accident annually. The CPSC reports an average of about 100,000 emergency department-treated injuries each year involving off-highway vehicles (including ATVs). Children are especially vulnerable due to limited experience and the power of these machines. When defective equipment or unsafe conditions are involved, the danger can increase even further.

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by Michael TarioApril 23, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

What To Know About Injury Claims for a Work Zone Accident

It’s Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24, 2026). National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. The key message is to remind drivers to use extra caution in work zones to prevent a work zone accident.

What is a Work Zone Collision?

Work zone crashes are collisions that take place within the boundaries of a work zone or while approaching or exiting a work zone due to actions related to traffic moving through a work zone. Work zones can be dangerous because traffic patterns change quickly and often without much warning. Drivers may face narrowed lanes, sudden stops, reduced speed limits, and workers close to moving vehicles. Pedestrians are also at risk due to limited walkways, poor visibility, and moving construction equipment. Distracted driving, speeding, and confusion about lane shifts are some of the most common causes of crashes in these areas.

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by Michael TarioApril 3, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. What To Do If You Are Hit by a Distracted Driver.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a month dedicated to reducing fatalities caused by behaviors like texting and eating while driving. Law enforcement will increase “Put the Phone Away or Pay” patrols, with high-visibility enforcement from April 6–13, 2026. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads with cell phone use – including texting, talking, and social media browsing – being the most common distraction. In 2024, thousands were hit by a distracted driver, killing over 3,200 people and accounting for eight percent of all fatal crashes.

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by Michael TarioMarch 19, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Spring Increases Risk of Car Accidents in the Rain

In Washington State, Spring often comes as a great relief after months of cold weather, even though early Spring is associated with rain. As we transition to Spring 2026, we are experiencing a very wet and gray period of weather in the Pacific Northwest, which brings a unique set of driving hazards with wet and slippery roads at the top of the list. Drivers can reduce their chances of being involved in Spring car accidents in the rain by understanding the dangers and taking safety precautions.

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by Michael TarioMarch 16, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

What to Know About a Car Accident Claim Against a Drunk Driver

Drunk drivers are responsible for thousands of crashes every year, contributing to about 12,429 traffic deaths in the United States in 2023 alone. Driving under the influence can lead to criminal charges, but injured victims can also pursue compensation through a civil claim. When a drunk driver causes a crash, the driver’s impairment often provides strong evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen an injury claim.

However, even with clear evidence of intoxication, cases involving drunk drivers can be complex and contested. Injury lawyers who have experience handling personal injury claims against drunk drivers know how to gather evidence to build a favorable case. If you or a loved one was injured in a collision involving a drunk driver, hiring an experienced local car accident attorney can greatly improve your odds of receiving a full and fair settlement.

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by Michael TarioMarch 9, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Drowsy Driving Accidents After Daylight Savings Time Change

Driving while sleep deprived happens far more often than drivers want to admit. When clocks move ahead an hour for Daylight Saving Time each March, people lose an hour of sleep and face darker mornings. This sudden shift can disrupt sleep schedules and leave many drivers feeling more tired than usual, which may lead to an increase in drowsy driving on the road. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals how dangerous drowsy driving really is. Previous Foundation research points directly to sleep loss as a key culprit in drowsy driving accidents.

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