How much you’ll have to pay if you get into a car wreck during Whatcom’s winter storm
As Whatcom County received a load of snow this week, many residents may question if can make it out of their driveway, or if they should even try.
Although major roads are being plowed, Whatcom County Public Works warns residents to stay home and off the roads unless it is necessary to drive.
It’s a ‘don’t go out unless you have to’ type of day. We have crews working around the clock, but ongoing snowfall makes travel conditions difficult! Please be extra cautious while driving and give plows plenty of room.
View snow priority routes here: https://t.co/oVBaLFyg2l pic.twitter.com/o4GW9h2p44— Whatcom County Public Works (@WhatcomCoPWA) December 20, 2022
Driving in poor-weather driving conditions has been associated with 7,000 deaths, 800,000 injuries and over 1.5 million vehicle crashes each year in America, according to The National Library of Medicine. Car accidents can not only be fatal or cause injuries but can also cost individuals more than they think. According to the Library of Medicine, the economic toll of weather-related vehicle crashes is about $42 billion in the country.
When you get into a car accident the costs of an ambulance, tow truck and car repairs can quickly add up.
The cost of towing a car in Whatcom County depends on the scenario, the agency requesting the tow, location and vehicle type, but typically costs $300 plus tax per hour, according to Hannah Gordon, dispatch manager at ASAP Towing in Bellingham.
The cost of an ambulance can also vary based on the situation and distance driven. According to the city of Bellingham Municipal Codes, The Bellingham Fire Department ambulance services can cost up to $950, plus a charge of $15 per mile traveled.
But many Washington residents believe they can successfully drive in snowy or icy road conditions and may neglect warnings to stay home, according to a news release by PEMCO Insurance.
The insurance company polled Seattle and Portland residents and found that 50% of Seattle residents claim to be more skilled drivers than their peers.
Almost half of those polled in the study claimed they drove better than others in winter conditions, and 60% of men in Seattle believe they are better drivers in winter conditions compared to their peers. Only 27% of Seattle women believed they drive better than others in the winter weather.
But despite self-confidence and driving experience, drivers are still advised to stay off the roads or postpone driving until road conditions can be improved.
“Even if you have winter tires or 4WD, our experts agree: If possible, postpone your trip to give road conditions a chance to improve. Your safety on slick roads depends not only on your vehicle and skill, but the choices of other drivers – something you can’t control,” PEMCO’s website states.
