Two Die in Deadly Accident on I5 With Icy Roads This week
According to data from USDOT Federal Highway Administration, there are an average of 536,731 icy road accidents every year. Out of these accidents, about 1,836 people die and 136,309 more are injured. NOAA records accident fatalities for a range of weather-related accidents such as flood, wind and cold but not for icy roads. If they did, they would find that the average icy road fatality count is 3.6 times the total deaths from all other weather hazards combined (507 combined deaths over a 10-year average compared to 1,836 for ice alone). See chart at icyroadsafety.com.
If you or a loved one was injured in an icy road accident, seek the help of a car accident attorney as soon as possible. You deserve to be made whole for your injuries with a fair settlement and an attorney can help.
Two Passed: Deadly Accident on I5 Due to Icy Road
This has been a very difficult week for some Whatcom County families. With a big drop in temperatures and moisture in the air came icy road conditions that led to two fatal icy road accidents.
Multiple crashes on I-5 lead to fatality
As reported by Whatcom News, first responders were called to the scene of a rollover crash about 6:15 a.m. on December 21 in the northbound lanes of I-5 near the N. Lake Samish Drive interchange. One person was pronounced dead at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center as a result of injuries they sustained in a second collision while standing outside their vehicle after the initial rollover crash.
According to Washington State Patrol troopers, road conditions were “extremely icy” and by 8 a.m. there were several crashes in both the northbound and southbound lanes, including some rollover collisions. At least one other patient was transported with non-life-threatening injuries from the initial rollover crash scene.
Driver killed in crash after spinning out in ice on I-5 in Ferndale
As reported by Kiro7 News, about 4:14 p.m. on December 21 on southbound I-5, a driver spun out his vehicle into the other lane due to icy road conditions. The driver was hit by two other cars after spinning out and lost his life. The other two drivers were uninjured.
Officials are urging drivers to slow down as Whatcom County experiences freezing rain and slick road conditions over the winter season.
While many motor vehicle accidents happen as a result of icy road conditions, it is up to drivers to adjust their driving behavior to keep themselves and other drivers and pedestrians safe on the road. For example, a driver may be ticketed for driving at the speed limit if it was too fast for current road conditions. If you or a loved one was injured because a driver made negligent driving choices on icy roads, speak to a car accident attorney about your accident claim before settling.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
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 up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
