car accident lawyer bellingham | Tario & Associates, P.S.

by Michael TarioAugust 11, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

It’s National Traffic Awareness Month: Traffic Laws & Safe Driving Habits to Prevent Crashes.

Traffic is a daily reality as we move from place to place and we all play a role in keeping our roads safe, whether we’re driving, walking, or riding a bicycle. By following traffic laws and committing to safe driving habits to prevent crashes, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can make our roads safer for everyone.

August is National Traffic Awareness Month. This event was created to draw attention to the critical importance of road safety for everyone while encouraging drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to practice vigilance and adhere to traffic laws and commit to safer driving habits.

Unfortunately, even safe drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can be injured because of someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a traffic accident caused by another person’s careless or reckless actions, schedule a free consultation with a local personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights.

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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 TarioJuly 13, 2026Car Accident Attorney Blog Bellingham0 comments

Hit by a Repeat Offender? What It Means for Your Car Accident Claim

Losing a loved one in a car crash is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a family can face. And the grief can feel even more overwhelming when the collision was caused by someone who has a history of dangerous driving, such as multiple DUI convictions, street racing citations, or repeated traffic violations for acts of aggressive driving. Many families are left wondering how someone with a record of unsafe driving behavior was allowed to get behind the wheel and whether this history will have an impact on their car accident claim.

If you believe the driver who caused the collision has a history of dangerous driving, don’t assume the insurance company will uncover or properly consider that information. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate every aspect of the collision, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

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

What is a Fair Settlement for a Back Injury from a Car Accident?

Back injuries are common in car accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for 38% of all cases in the United States. Damage to the spinal cord is the most serious type of back injury as it can result in loss of function, mobility, and feeling. Other back injuries, including spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, and ruptured or herniated disks, strains, and damage to intervertebral discs are not as debilitating but can still result in tremendous issues. Considering the pain and suffering, medical expenses, disability, and lost wages that can be caused by back injuries, those who are injured may wonder: what is a fair settlement for a back injury from a car accident?

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