Protecting Vulnerable Road Users in Bellingham

Pedestrian accidents pose serious risks to all road users. Because pedestrians lack the protective features of motor vehicles, injuries sustained in collisions are often severe or life-changing. If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, it is critical to consult an experienced pedestrian injury attorney promptly to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact Narwal Injury Law to learn more about protecting vulnerable road users in Bellingham.

Common Injuries from Pedestrian Collisions

Vulnerable pedestrians struck in Bellingham face serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries, often resulting from head impacts during collisions, leading to lasting cognitive and physical impairments
• Spinal cord injuries, causing partial or full paralysis from severe impacts
• Broken bones and frequent fractures to limbs and ribs due to the force of collisions or being run over
• Cuts and road rash, or severe abrasions from impacts and being dragged on road surfaces
• Soft tissue injuries or damage to muscles and ligaments, causing chronic pain.

Prompt medical attention is essential to prevent complications and support your legal claim.

Bellingham’s Most Dangerous Pedestrian Crash Locations

Pedestrian safety is a pressing concern, reflected in both national statistics and local crash data. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users face significant risks on Bellingham’s streets, particularly at busy intersections and arterial corridors identified by the City’s 2024 Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP).

According to the City of Bellingham’s LRSP, the highest concentration of crashes and severe pedestrian injuries occurs downtown and along key arterial streets. From 2018 to 2022, Downtown accounted for nearly 12% of all citywide crashes, with dangerous intersections concentrated on Railroad Avenue and Cornwall Avenue, including:

• Railroad Avenue at Magnolia, Holly, and Chestnut Streets
• Cornwall Avenue at Magnolia, Holly, and Chestnut Streets

These corridors see heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic but also record a high incidence of collisions, frequently involving vehicles failing to yield during left and right turns. Other pedestrian crash clusters exist along Bakerview Road, Barkley Boulevard, and Lakeway Drive, where turning vehicle movements contribute to increased risk.

The plan also highlights that 50% of fatal and serious injury crashes in Bellingham happen at signalized intersections—a rate much higher than statewide averages—underscoring the urgent need for intersection safety improvements.

National Pedestrian Safety Concerns Reflected Locally

Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities rose sharply to 7,388 in 2021, with 60,577 injured (NCSA, 2023c). Key risk factors align with Bellingham’s crash patterns involving vulnerable road users:

Poor Lighting

76% of fatal pedestrian crashes happen in the dark, with evening hours (6 p.m. to midnight) being the deadliest (Schneider, 2020; NCSA, 2023c). Bellingham’s LRSP confirms that most pedestrian crashes occur during daylight, but a significant portion also happen at night, calling for improved street lighting and visibility enhancements.

Roadway Characteristics

National data shows 73% of pedestrian deaths occur outside intersections, often on wide, high-speed roads with heavy traffic (Schneider et al., 2021). Bellingham’s arterials, some with speed limits above 30 mph and multiple lanes, mirror these hazardous conditions.

Hit-and-Run Incidents

Nearly a quarter of pedestrian fatalities involve hit-and-run drivers, a problem also faced locally, complicating injury claims and requiring thorough legal investigation.

Causes and Contributing Factors in Pedestrian Crashes

The LRSP identifies primary risk factors contributing to crashes:

Failure to Yield

Drivers frequently fail to yield at intersections and crosswalks, especially during turning maneuvers.

Infrequent and Unsafe Crosswalks

Particularly in north Bellingham, where pedestrians often cross at unmarked, high-risk mid-block locations.

Driver Behaviors

Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired operation are common contributing factors.

Intersection Control Issues

Signal timing, permissive left turns, and right-turn-on-red movements increase crash risk.

Roadway Design

Wide arterials with multiple lanes, high speeds, and limited pedestrian refuge areas elevate danger.

Legal Help to Recover Compensation for Pedestrian Injuries

Narwal Injury Law understands Bellingham at-risk road users’ specific safety challenges and will work diligently to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Long-term care for permanent disabilities
• Out-of-pocket expenses and wrongful death damages

We investigate accident causes thoroughly, including hit-and-run cases, defective roadway conditions, and unsafe intersections, to build strong claims against all responsible parties.

Evidence Collection and Investigation

Your case’s success depends on timely and detailed evidence collection. We help clients:

• Document accident scenes with photos and videos
• Collect witness statements and police reports
• Obtain medical records and expert evaluations
• Investigate traffic camera footage and roadway conditions

A Bellingham attorney could also ensure that at-risk road users’ rights are upheld throughout the case process.

Protect Yourself and Others

Pedestrians should use marked crosswalks, stay visible, avoid distractions, and always seek to cross at well-lit intersections. In addition, drivers must yield to pedestrians, obey speed limits, especially on Bellingham’s busy arterials and intersections, and remain alert to prevent crashes.

Contact Narwal Injury Law to Learn More About Protecting Road Users Vulnerable to an Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Narwal Injury Law today. Attorney Gurjot Narwal offers knowledgeable and compassionate representation, fighting for the compensation you deserve while helping make Bellingham’s streets safer for all.