Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham | Tario & Associates, P.S.

by Michael TarioJuly 27, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham, Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

What the July 2026 NHTSA Report Reveals About 2025 Traffic Fatalities

No one expects a routine drive to end in tragedy. Yet every year, thousands of people lose their lives in tragic car crashes across the United States. While the July 2026 data update for 2025 traffic fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers encouraging news, it also serves as a reminder that negligent driving continues to have devastating consequences.

NHTSA estimates that 36,640 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2025, a 6.7 percent decrease from the 39,254 fatalities reported in 2024. The estimated fatality rate also dropped from 1.19 to 1.10 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

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by Michael TarioJune 22, 2026Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

What to Know About a Wrongful Death Claim for Boating Accidents

Summer is here and that means boating season in the Pacific Northwest! While spending time on the water can be a truly magical experience, boating accidents can have devastating consequences. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, hundreds of people lose their lives in recreational boating accidents across the United States each year.

When a loved one is killed in an unexpected boating accident, families are left grieving while also facing financial uncertainty. Understanding your legal rights can be an important step toward seeking accountability and justice. If your loved one was killed in a boating accident due to the negligence of another, contact a local boating accident attorney for a free consultation.

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by Michael TarioMay 14, 2026Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Speeding and Reckless Driving Cause Fatal Crash Today in Ferndale, WA

A fatal car accident can change a family’s life forever in a matter of seconds. When a crash is caused by a reckless, impaired, or speeding driver, surviving loved ones are often left not only grieving an unimaginable loss, but also struggling with financial and emotional hardships. Families may suddenly be faced with funeral expenses, lost household income, medical bills, and the painful reality of moving forward without the love, support, and companionship of the person they lost.

Sadly, these tragedies are far too common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), speed is one of the leading risk factors in serious and fatal traffic collisions because it increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries. Excessive speeding is responsible for roughly 30 percent of traffic deaths in high-income countries like the United States.

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by Michael TarioMay 11, 2026Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accidents

Because motorcycles are smaller and lack the protective metal frame of a passenger vehicle, motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to fatal injuries in a collision. Drivers often miss motorcyclists in a blind spot or mirror, and many do not understand that motorcycles maneuver differently than larger vehicles. While riders are often unfairly blamed for accidents, more than 50 percent of motorcycle vs. car collisions are caused by a negligent driver in wrongful death motorcycle accidents.

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by Michael TarioApril 28, 2026Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Multi Vehicle Crash Involving Bicycle Near Bellingham Leads to Injured Cyclist

A 50-year-old Bellingham man was seriously injured in a multi vehicle crash involving a bicycle on northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 247, just north of the Samish Way exit, around 11:07 a.m. on April 21, 2026. According to the Washington State Patrol, the bicyclist was riding legally on the right shoulder when a chain-reaction collision pushed a vehicle into him, forcing him into a guardrail. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His condition has not been released.

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by Michael TarioMarch 31, 2026Personal Injury Attorney Blog Bellingham, Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

National Walking Day: How Pedestrian Accident Claims Help You Recover

National Walking Day on April 1, 2026, is a great time to enjoy the simple benefits of getting outside and moving on foot. But it’s also a reminder that walking comes with real risks, especially on busy roads and in crowded areas. Pedestrian accidents can happen quickly and often leave the injured person feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Understanding how pedestrian accident claims work and where to turn for support can make a difficult situation more manageable.

Pedestrian accident claims play an important role in helping victims recover after a crash. There are many important steps involved in pedestrian accident claims, including collecting evidence, writing a demand letter, and negotiating with insurance companies. Thankfully these steps can all be handled by an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.

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by Michael TarioJanuary 8, 2026Personal Injury Attorney Blog Bellingham, Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

What You Need to Know About a Personal Injury Claim for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Washington State

Part of what makes carbon monoxide so dangerous is that it is a deadly gas that humans cannot see or smell. Breathing high levels of carbon monoxide can cause severe illness or death in mere minutes. Signs of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness, Death can result from prolonged or high-level exposure to CO.

In an average year, more than 20 people die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in Washington State. Most carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in the fall and winter months as people use heat to stay warm. You can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning with basic safety tips.

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by Michael TarioDecember 22, 2025Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham, Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

NSC Christmas Collision Traffic Fatalities Estimate 2025

Christmas is a holiday that brings loved ones together in a festive atmosphere. Many will travel long distances by road in the dark to attend these events, where alcohol is often served. We know that heavy road traffic, dark roads, and drunk driving all lead to an increase in traffic accidents, so it’s not surprising that the holidays come with an increased risk of fatal crashes. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 431 people may die on U.S. roads in a Christmas collision this Christmas Day holiday period, which is slightly below the six-year average of 450 fatalities that occurred over Christmas holiday periods of the same length.

Losing a loved one in an accident is devastating, especially during the holiday season when families are meant to be together. While no legal action can ever replace what you’ve lost, you may have options to seek justice through a car accident wrongful death claim if your loved one’s death was caused by another driver’s negligence. An experienced local car accident attorney can help you understand your rights, explain the claims process, and guide you through the next steps when you’re ready.

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by Michael TarioNovember 6, 2025Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham, Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Rising 2025 Drunk Driving Arrests in Bellingham Underscore the Ongoing Risk of Drunk Driving Accidents

Every day, 34 people in the U.S. die in drunk driving accidents across the country. While there was a sustained decrease in alcohol-related fatalities in the decade after drunk driving campaigns gained traction, between 2014 and 2023, the country saw a 25 percent increase in DUI crashes.

As car accident attorneys, we see the terrible effects of drunk driving on accident victims. That’s why we are concerned that according to police records, Bellingham is experiencing an alarming rise in impaired driving and drunk driving arrests in 2025. Between January 1 and October 31, 2025, Bellingham Police made 390 arrests for driving under the influence, according to crime data available online. By comparison, there were 400 DUI arrests in all of 2024. In the final weekend of October alone, from Friday to Sunday, Bellingham Police made 11 arrests for driving under the influence.

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by Michael TarioSeptember 15, 2025Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Understanding Your Rights in Cases of Wrongful Death by Commercial Truck Accident

About 40,900 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year in the U.S., and roughly 11 percent of those deaths occur in crashes involving large commercial trucks. In 2023, a total of 4,354 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks such as tractor-trailers. Of those fatalities, approximately 65 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles, 16 percent were truck drivers or passengers, and 17 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists who were struck during the crash.

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