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

by Michael TarioMarch 20, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Ask a Hit and Run Lawyer: What to Do If You Are Involved in a Hit and Run Accident

As an experienced hit and run lawyer, we receive calls from people injured in hit and run accidents on a regular basis. Thousands of hit and run accidents happen in the United States every day. In 2015 alone, there were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run crashes (NHTSA, 2016). A hit and run accident has occurred when one or both drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident flees the scene before offering any (or enough) information or help to the other involved people involved in the crash.

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by Michael TarioMarch 3, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Ask a Bellingham Auto Injury Attorney: How Important Are Witness Statements for a Car Accident Claim?

When determining who is at fault for a car accident, insurance adjusters, judges, and jurors may first review the police report and statements from first-hand witnesses who were directly involved in the accident. However, statements from third-party witnesses – such as a pedestrian or cyclist – who saw your accident happen can also play a key role in proving liability. A third-party witness can be important for proving fault in an accident because, with no personal stake in the case, their accounts are often seen as more objective and reliable. Third-party witnesses may also be able to fill in information gaps because their minds are not clouded by accident-related trauma and they may have observed the accident from a different perspective than the people involved in the collision. A clear, unbiased witness statement can strengthen your claim, and your Bellingham auto injury attorney will work to gather testimony that supports your case.

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by Michael TarioFebruary 27, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Ask a Bellingham Car Accident Lawyer: Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Injury Claims?

When someone is injured in a car accident, they are typically faced with medical bills and property damage. Depending on the severity of the injuries, they may also incur other damages including lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering. The best way to receive compensation for damages is through a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. Unfortunately, insurer’s make it as difficult as possible to recover a fair settlement -sometimes outright denying an injury claim – because their priority is protecting the bottom line. If your injury claim has been denied, you may be wondering “why do insurance companies deny injury claims and how can a Bellingham car accident lawyer help?”

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by Michael TarioFebruary 20, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham, Personal Injury Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Ask a Bellingham Accident Lawyer: What to Do When an Insurance Settlement Offer Doesn’t Cover All Medical Bills After an Accident?

Serious accidents can lead to expensive medical bills and the fact of the matter is that medical care is expensive. Even if the injured party has health insurance, most plans come with out-of-pocket costs including deductibles and coinsurance that can add up quickly. It’s bad enough getting stuck with unexpected medical expenses because of an illness or self-inflicted injury, but it’s incredibly frustrating to be stuck paying medical bills for an accident that wasn’t your fault. As a Bellingham accident lawyer, we often receive calls from people injured in an accident after their medical bills start piling up and they are stressed because their insurance isn’t covering their out-of-pocket costs and the accident settlement they were offered won’t either.

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by Michael TarioFebruary 11, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

What to Know About Heart Attack After Car Accidents

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing the lives of thousands of Americans each year. February is American Heart Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the risks that can make cardiovascular conditions worse. While we know that heart disease can be brought on by lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, traumatic events—such as car accidents—can also have a significant impact on heart health. The reason for an increase in heart attack after car accidents is that the physical and emotional stress caused by a car accident can increase the risk of heart attacks, make pre-existing conditions worse, and contribute to long-term cardiovascular issues.

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by Michael TarioJanuary 31, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

What If At Fault Driver Lied About Accident?

Between dealing with injuries, damage to your vehicle, and trying to negotiate a fair settlement, there is pretty much no such thing as a stress-free car accident. Determining who is at fault in an accident is one of the most important steps to getting a fair settlement and that can be extra challenging when the at-fault party is lying.

Remember, Washington State is a comparative fault state, which means that fault can be shared. The problem is that if the at-fault driver is lying, the percentage of fault assigned to you could be exaggerated, which will reduce your settlement.

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by Michael TarioJanuary 27, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

WalletHub Ranks Washington the Second Worst State to Drive in 2025

Seattle is known for its heavy traffic and never-ending construction projects that lead to long, frustrating commutes. Combined with high levels of property crime, wet and sometimes icy or snowy road conditions, and the high cost of car insurance and vehicle repairs in the Seattle metro area, it’s no surprise that Washington has been ranked the second worst state to drive in 2025 – holding firm on its position since 2023.

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by Michael TarioJanuary 16, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

What Happens If You Have No Insurance but the Other Driver Was at Fault?

Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough when both parties have car insurance. The situation can become even more complicated if you don’t have car insurance — even if the other driver was at fault. In addition to facing potential fines or legal penalties for driving uninsured, it can be more challenging to recover fair compensation for your damages. It is essential to understand your rights and options in this situation to protect yourself and navigate the claims process effectively. Here’s what you need to know.

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by Michael TarioJanuary 7, 2025 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Bicycle Crosswalk Accidents

Bicycle crosswalk accidents are more common than you might think, and they can lead to serious injuries for cyclists. Crosswalks are designed to create a safe space for cyclists, pedestrians on foot, and drivers to cross the street, but wherever motor vehicles share the same space with pedestrians and cyclists, serious accidents can happen. Many bicycle accidents in crosswalks occur because there is confusion about traffic rules or how to navigate crosswalks safely. Distracted driving is also a major issue.

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by Michael TarioDecember 30, 2024 Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

NSC Estimates 2025 New Year’s Day Traffic Fatalities

The National Safety Council estimates that 179 people may die in New Year’s Eve traffic fatalities on U.S. roads this New Year’s Day holiday period* and an additional 20,400 will suffer an injury severe enough that they will seek medical attention; these numbers represent a dramatic decrease over estimates for 2024.

*New Year’s Day 2025 falls on a Wednesday, which means the holiday period will last 1.25 days, between 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 31 and 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, January 1. (When the holiday is combined with the weekend, it extends the holiday period, which increases the estimate of traffic fatalities).

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