ZIP 98226 (Bellingham, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98226: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Whatcom County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
13 of 550 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Whatcom County compares with Washington
Whatcom County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Whatcom County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Whatcom County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.0 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 22% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 9% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.13 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 28% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.1% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 17% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 24.8% | 23.7% | 18% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.2% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.1% | 43.8% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 24.9% | 25.2% | 24.8% | same |
Whatcom County sits below Washington on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in ZIP 98226: I-5 2 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 98226.
Overview
Since 2015, 550 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Whatcom County. They injured 73 people and killed 16.
That averages about one truck crash every 8 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 10.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 4.5%.
November through March accounts for 39.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 43.8% in Washington.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 7.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 8.1% of truck crashes, compared with 9.7% in Washington.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-5 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (2). After it: CR-EVERSON Goshen Rd (1), CR-HANNEGAN Rd (1) and CR-SLATER Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 13 crashes, 2.4% of the total, against 2.2% across Washington.
Route planning tips for ZIP 98226 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Whatcom County.
- Look at alternatives to I-5 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Whatcom County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-5 | 2 |
| CR-EVERSON Goshen Rd | 1 |
| CR-HANNEGAN Rd | 1 |
| CR-SLATER Rd | 1 |
| SR-542 | 1 |
| SR-9 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Whatcom County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-539*003.50 | 3 |
| Sr-539*008.57 | 3 |
| Sr-546*003.00 | 3 |
| Sr-9*086.00 | 3 |
| E Sunset Dr Blk 1800 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd Blk 6200 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd/E Smith Rd | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Road/Central Road | 2 |
ZIP 98226 at a glance
| Population | 46,782 |
| Density | 171 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $79,375 |
| Median home value | $603,166 |
| Home ownership | 62% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Whatcom County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 27 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 40 | +44% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 44 | +11% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 48 | +8% | 1.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 27 to 48. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98226
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 98226?
550 truck crashes have been reported in Whatcom County since 2015, with 16 deaths and 73 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 98226?
I-5 had 2 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 98226 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 98226?
January has the most truck crashes in Whatcom County, 10.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 98226?
13 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Whatcom County since 2015, 2.4% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 98226 compared with Washington?
The yearly rate is 20.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Whatcom County, vs 25.8 for Washington.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 98226?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.