Updated on: 2/11/2019
A suspected drunk driver crossed the center line and hit a motorcyclist head-on Thursday night in north Ferndale, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The incident occurred at 5:43 p.m. on Vista Drive near Fox Road.
Police say a 24-year-old Bellingham woman was driving a Ford Focus heading south on Vista Drive. Simultaneously, a 30-year-old Blaine man on a Kawasaki KL650 motorcycle was traveling north. The Focus crossed the center line and hit the motorcycle head-on.
The injured motorcyclist was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was in serious condition when he left the crash site, and WSP says he had multiple leg fractures.
The driver of the Focus had to be extricated from her vehicle. She was also taken to St. Joseph, then booked into Whatcom County Jail and charged with suspicion of a felony count of driving under the influence and vehicular assault.
Location of the Collision
Broken Bones in a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents like the one described above often leave riders with devastating and life-changing injuries. The violent impact of the crash can instantly cause multiple broken bones, ranging from a hairline fracture to a crushed pelvic girdle.
It is important for motorcyclists and their families to understand the injuries and take prompt action to protect their physical and financial future.
Broken bones may be classified in the following ways:
- Closed/simple fracture. Do not result in open wounds.
- Open/compound fracture. Penetrate the skin and create a wound that is prone to infection.
- Hairline fracture. A narrow crack in a bone.
- Incomplete fracture. A serious crack, but doesn’t break the bone completely.
- Complete fracture. The bone is completely broken into two pieces.
- Displaced fracture. A complete fracture where the bones on either side of the break are out of alignment.
- Comminuted fracture. When the bone shatters into small pieces.
- Compacted fracture. When bone pieces have been driven into each other.
There are some common complications that arise from broken bones, including:
- Malunion. Develops as a result of a fracture not being set correctly. As a result, the bone heals in the wrong position. Malunion may also develop when a shift occurs in the fracture during healing. Malunion may result in a bone being shorter than normal, twisted or rotated in a bad position, or bent.
- Osteomyelitis. An infection in the bone after a compound fracture. May be persistent if not addressed.
- Avascular necrosis. Severe broken bones may cause the bone to lose blood supply and die. This almost always leads to a permanent disability.
Secure Your Legal Rights ASAP
You may recover fully from a motorcycle accident, but you may still need to consult with an attorney. The damages are often extremely high in these serious cases, and medical bills, missed time from work, and other expenses related to the case can be overwhelming.
If someone else caused your motorcycle accident injury, then you have a limited time to take action. Please contact Davis Law Group online or call us directly at (206) 727-4000 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
