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

by Michael TarioApril 28, 2026 Wrongful 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, 2026 Personal 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, 2026 Personal 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, 2025 Car 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, 2025 Car 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, 2025 Wrongful 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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by Michael TarioAugust 12, 2025 Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Defective Product Claim for Wrongful Death

When a loved one dies because of a defective product, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims are civil lawsuits brought against a person or entity whose negligent behavior resulted in someone else’s death. Wrongful death cases involving defective products generally fall under product liability law, which protects consumers by holding manufacturers, distributors, and sellers accountable for deaths or injuries caused by unsafe or defective products.

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by Michael TarioJuly 21, 2025 Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Holding Drivers Accountable in Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accidents

Wrongful death pedestrian accidents are a devastating tragedy for families, often made worse by the financial strain and legal work required to fight for a fair settlement. As wrongful death attorneys, we know that no amount of compensation can replace the loss of a loved one, but pursuing a wrongful death claim is the best way to help families cover medical and funeral expenses, as well as provide a sense of justice and accountability.

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by Michael TarioJune 23, 2025 Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Top 5 Things Families Need to Know About Wrongful Death Claims for Bicycle Accidents

Bellingham, Washington has been encouraging residents to ride their bikes in the city with additional bike lanes, including on major arterial road, Holly Street. While protected bike lanes decrease bicycle accidents by about 75%, not all cities have embraced them. About 45,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents every year in the U.S. and about 2% of those deaths are bicyclists. Data from iihs.org shows that 1,084 bicyclists were killed in bicycle accidents with motor vehicles in 2022, the highest number ever recorded. Bicyclist deaths have increased eight percent since 1975, though bicycle death rates among children dropped dramatically in that period.

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by Michael TarioMay 26, 2025 Wrongful Death Blog Bellingham0 comments

Who Gets the Money in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A successful wrongful death lawsuit provide money to help compensate surviving family members for the unexpected loss of their loved one – including both grief and the loss of financial support. Damages generally include pain and suffering, medical bills, loss of services, lost income, and funeral expenses. Any compensation that is awarded reflects the surviving family members’ losses and their current and future struggles due to the loss. Who gets the money in a wrongful death lawsuit? This varies from case to case as it depends on several factors, including who the surviving dependents are and individual state laws. In general, the family members who were closest to the deceased are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive a settlement, which is then divided among the parties of interest.

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