Risk of Snow Car Crash Increases on Mt. Baker Highway
Bellingham and the surrounding areas are home to some beautiful country roads. Heading east, the Mt. Baker Highway takes us up a winding, narrow road to Mt. Baker Ski Resort. While we love snow on the mountains for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding; snow and ice on the roads leading up to the mountain increase the risk of snow car crash occurrences.
If you or a loved one is injured in a snowy road crash, you may benefit from the help of an experienced car accident attorney. Clients are taken on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless a settlement is recovered on your behalf.
Rollover Crash on Mt. Baker Highway Sends 2 to Hospital
As reported by Whatcom-news.com, first responders were dispatched to the scene of a rollover crash on Mt. Baker Highway around milepost 49 about 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 6. According to Whatcom County Fire District 14 Fire Chief, Jerry DeBruin, there were about four-six inches of snow and ice on the road at the time of the crash. The Honda CR-V was reportedly driving slowly but managed to lose control of the vehicle on a corner, sending themselves down an embankment about 20 feet. It is estimated that the car rolled two or three times before coming to a standstill. A tow truck retrieved the vehicle and Mt. Baker Ski Patrol members – who were some of the first to arrive at the scene – helped the occupants up to the road. Two of the people inside the vehicle were transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
What is a rollover crash?
A rollover crash is when a vehicle crashes into something and then rolls over at least once before coming to a stop. Rollover crashes have a very high fatality rate compared to other types of crashes. Supported by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six main factors that contribute to the risk of vehicle rollover accidents. These are:
- The type of vehicle (SUVs and vans are more susceptible)
- Driving on rural roads (because they lack clear divisions and barriers that reduce the risk)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving at high speeds
- Routine driving
- Single-vehicle crashes
In this case, the driver was on a rural road and it was a single-vehicle crash. Based on the reported road conditions at the time of the crash, snowy roads were likely a strong contributor to the accident. The best thing we can do to avoid a snow-related car accident is to stay home and off the roads in snow conditions, if possible. If that isn’t an option, investing in snow tires and slowing way down – especially while turning – is an important way to reduce the risk of a snow-related car crash.
Seek the help of an accident attorney for a snow car crash
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
