Photo by Pavł Polø
Understanding traffic trends is key to making Bellingham’s roads safer for everyone. A look at the 2024 crash data reveals important insights into where and how accidents happened throughout the city.
Last year, Bellingham recorded 1,231 crashes, including 2 fatal incidents. The breakdown of injuries is as follows:
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- 35 serious injuries
- 151 minor injuries
- 155 unconfirmed injuries
Teen drivers were involved in 213 crashes, making up approximately 17.3% of all collisions.
High-Risk Intersections and Severe Crashes in Bellingham
Certain intersections in Bellingham have seen a high concentration of severe and fatal crashes in 2024.
Fatal Crashes
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- Newmarket Street – A fatal crash occurred near a park area, with reports attributing the incident to distracted teen driving.
- Interstate 5 near Northwest Ave – The second fatality took place on the I-5 corridor.
It’s concerning to see tragic incidents continue in the same area of I-5. In the first week of 2025, another fatal crash took place.
A fatal collision occurred around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, along southbound Interstate 5 near Northwest Avenue in Bellingham. According to WSP, 24-year-old Sean Smet, a Bellingham resident, was struck by a Subaru Crosstrek and pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions, leading to extended road closures, with one lane remaining blocked until the following night.
Severe Crashes
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- E Holly Street (Downtown) – Four severe crashes in just three blocks.
- Cornwall Avenue – Three crashes, including multiple severe pedestrian injuries. Notably, E Holly Street and Cornwall Avenue intersect, creating a concentrated area of high-risk collisions.
Drivers should also exercise caution along Meridian Street, particularly at intersections with:
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- E Bakerview Road
- Bellis Fair Parkway
- Kline Road (further north)
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Not Every Injury is Equal: Why Your Pain Deserves More Than a Calculator – The article underscores the importance of recognizing the unique human context behind each case—something only thoughtful, individualized assessment (often by an experienced legal professional) can achieve.
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Photo by Clark Van Der Beken
Crash Causes and Contributing Factors in Bellingham (2024)
Distracted Driving
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- 261 total cases, resulting in 1 fatality and at least 45 injuries.
- Cell phone use contributed to 11 crashes.
- Teen drivers were responsible for 32 distracted driving crashes, leading to 1 fatality and at least 5 serious injuries.
Pedestrian Incidents
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- 29 total crashes, with 20 injuries and 1 fatality.
- The fatality occurred near Newmarket Street, an area with high pedestrian activity near parks.
Bicycle Crashes
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- 27 crashes, resulting in 20 injuries.
- High-risk areas: Meridian Street and W Holly Street (Downtown).
- Nearly 50% of injured cyclists were between 40-60 years old.
- 2 drivers involved in bicycle crashes were under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol-Related Crashes
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- 54 crashes caused by intoxicated drivers.
- No fatalities, but 16 confirmed injuries and 9 additional possible injuries.
- 7 of the 54 drivers were teenagers.
Bus Accidents
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- 13 crashes, with 2 injuries reported.
- Downtown areas, particularly E Holly Street and W Magnolia Street, were common locations.
Motorcycle Accidents
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- 20 total crashes, with 1 fatality on Interstate 5.
Heavy Truck Crashes
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- 69 crashes, causing 6 injuries.
Wildlife-Related Crashes
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- 17 crashes, with 1 possible injury reported.
- 13 of these crashes occurred on I-5, reinforcing the dangers of encountering wildlife on highways.
We must remember that danger on the road doesn’t always come from reckless drivers. A mix of strong winds, debris, bad weather, and sheer misfortune can turn an ordinary route into a serious hazard. At the end of December, that’s exactly what happened. Just before 11 a.m., on I-5 south of Bellingham, a falling tree struck a vehicle, injuring two people. The incident occurred during a period of intense wind gusts across western Washington on Saturday, leaving nearly 70,000 without power at its peak.
In case of accidents in Bellingham
Accidents can happen at any moment, and it’s normal to feel confused about what to do first. If you or a loved one have been injured on the streets of Bellingham, we can help you take the first steps forward.
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