A hit-and-run can add to the stress and trauma of a car accident, especially when someone is seriously injured or killed in the collision. When those who may be responsible for a crash flee the scene without exchanging messages with other drivers or staying to talk to first responders, there is a legitimate concern that drivers may not be held responsible for the accidents and injuries they caused.
As car accident attorneys, we have seen an increase in hit and run accidents since 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities in hit-and-run accidents jumped 26 percent in 2020. If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a hit and run accident, contact Bellingham car accident attorneys for help.
Fatal hit-and-run accident in Bellingham leads to arrest
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Meridian Street and Kellogg Road at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Friday, January 6, after a passenger vehicle was involved in a violent collision and caught fire, Whatcom-News.com reported. Both vehicles were traveling southbound in the 4200 block of Meridian when the collision occurred.
The investigation revealed that the white Dodge Ram pickup slammed into the rear of the bus with such force that it burst into flames and was pushed out a block. By the time emergency crews arrived, the car was completely engulfed in flames and the driver was trapped inside.
The fatal hit-and-run crash resulted in the driver being arrested and fleeing the scene. He is accused of allegedly:
• Hit and run resulting in death
• Driving under the influence
• DUI or reckless driving homicide
driving under the influence
Drunk driving accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year, and driving while intoxicated is a major risk factor for fatal accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 32 people die each day in alcohol-related crashes.
hit and run
A hit-and-run accident occurs when the person causing the collision flees the scene before exchanging contact/insurance information with other drivers or pedestrians or waiting to speak to emergency personnel. Everyone has their own reasons for fleeing the scene of an accident, but it usually comes down to self-preservation rather than personal responsibility. In many cases, people fled because they were driving without a license, they were illegal immigrants, there was an active warrant for their arrest, or they were intoxicated. They hope that by fleeing they will avoid legal consequences or deportation, but the reality is that they often end up in more legal trouble.
car accident
Vehicular homicide is a crime involving the driver being responsible for the death of another person through criminal negligence or murderous operation of a motor vehicle. In cases involving criminal negligence, defendants may be charged with unintentional vehicular manslaughter.
Regardless of the theory of charge, vehicular homicide is considered a Class A felony in Washington State, punishable by up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Seek Help from a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision due to the negligence of another person, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation you deserve. With the help of a lawyer, it is not uncommon to get five to ten times the payout from an insurance company. Call Tario & Associates, PS in Bellingham, WA for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney today! We have represented the residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You pay nothing upfront and pay no attorneys unless we recover your damages for you!
source:
https://consumer.healthday.com/b-3-3-us-traffic-deaths-rise-to-highest-level-since-2007-2656826204.html#:~:text=Deaths%20in%20hit%2Dand %2Drun, %2Dreported%20crashes%20declined%2022%25.
https://whatcom-news.com/details-released-about-fatal-hit-and-run-crash-in-bellingham-on-friday_210029/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving#:~:text=Overview,one%20person%20every%2045%20minutes.
