Top 9 Most Dangerous Intersections in Bellingham
The risk for car accidents increases at intersections because cars are traveling in opposite and intersecting directions on two or more roads. In Bellingham, there are nine intersections that stand out for being the site of the most car accidents each year. According to an article on the Bellinghamherald.com, Bellingham police received reports of 1,350 accidents within city limits between January, 2016 and June, 2017.
Top 9 most dangerous intersections in Bellingham
Here are the most dangerous intersections in Bellingham based on the number of accidents that happened at each between January, 2016 and June, 2017:
- Bakerview and Northwest (43 accidents)
- Lakeway and Lincoln (25 accidents)
- Bakerview and Eliza (22 accidents)
- Bakerview and Cordata (18 accidents)
- Cordata and Kellogg (16 accidents)
- Lakeway and King (14 accidents)
- Woburn and Barkley (14 accidents)
- State and Ohio (11 accidents)
- Barkley and Orleans (9 accidents)
Intersection safety tips
Every driver owes a duty of care to its passengers, pedestrians and other drivers when they drive. How can drivers make sure that they are driving safely through intersections? Follow these intersection safety tips from the Bellingham Police Department’s “Travel with Care” program:
- Avoid distractions like your cell phone and fiddling with music or the radio.
- Do not drive while intoxicated.
- Keep your head focused on all the cars, bikes and pedestrians around you and down the road. Be aware that whenever two streets intersect, it’s a crosswalk.
- Leave three or more feet of space for cyclists.
- Make eye contact with those around you before making a move.
Why do so many car accidents happen at intersections?
The risk for car accidents increases at intersections because cars are traveling in opposite and intersecting directions on two or more roads. When cars turn left or right or cross over lanes, the risk for auto accidents increases. According to data gathered by the National Automotive Sampling System-General Estimates System (NASS-GES): of the 5,811,000 crashes that occurred in the United States in 2008 about 40 percent were intersection-related crashes.
The most common roadway related accidents at intersections are crossing collisions. A crossing collision happens when a driver attempts to go through an intersection or while trying to turn into a lane.
Proving fault in an intersection accident
Roadway design
If a driver enters an intersection with an obstructed view then he or she will not be able to make a decision about whether it is safe to cross. Traffic control devices are put in place to help drivers avoid car accidents but in some cases the needs of the intersection have outgrown the form of traffic control device in place. For example, a simple 4-way stop may have been adequate in the past but the number of cars using the intersection has tripled over the years and stop lights with a turn signal and left-hand turn lane are needed today to prevent car accidents. Separate left-hand turn lanes have been shown to reduce car accidents by more than 30 percent.
Negligent driver
Most accidents – whether in an intersection or other location – are caused by driver errors such as following too close or distracted driving.
We represent victims of intersection accidents
In order for a plaintiff to make a case for a hazardous roadway, the car accident attorney must provide evidence that the intersection had become a known trouble spot for accidents. A car accident lawyer will typically locate reports of other similar collisions at the same location over a period of time. Because it is the responsibility of highway inspection agencies to track dangerous locations and devise and implement a plan to improve them, they can be held liable for not following through on their responsibility.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair 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 caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
