What Should I Do After a Car Wreck in New Mexico?

According to recent traffic analysts' data, 2021 was the deadliest year on New Mexico roadways. The overall number of traffic fatalities increased considerably in the current year compared to previous years.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation and other major agencies have identified a number of worrisome statistics, which we will quickly review below, along with how authorities plan to address these dismal numbers.

At Will Ferguson & Associates, our Albuquerque car accident lawyers recognize that establishing the facts of a case is crucial to assisting accident victims in obtaining compensation for their injuries. Similarly, understanding the relevant statistics and facts about New Mexico's automobile accidents and what to do after one of these incidents is paramount.

Car Accidents on New Mexico's Roads

Tragically, there were 470 car fatalities on New Mexico highways in 2021. This is a significant increase from the state's tally of 425 road deaths in 2019. According to Jeff Barela, spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving were the leading causes of fatal accidents in New Mexico during the last year. Even worse, 2021 saw the greatest number of traffic-related fatalities in at least a decade.

In the meantime, the number of traffic-related fatalities caused by drunk driving decreased. In 2019, there were 176 alcohol-related accidents in New Mexico. By 2021, there were just 110. Barela cites a 26% drop in drunk driving-related accident fatalities in the preceding year as evidence of the lowest rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths in 20 years.

In addition, New Mexico accident statistics from traffic analysts with the University of New Mexico and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seem to confirm these figures. According to NHTSA data, New Mexico ranked fifth for reckless driving, twelfth for speeding, and tenth for driving under the influence arrests.

What Causes Most Auto Accidents in New Mexico?

According to a study released in 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the culture of excessive drinking in New Mexico is unparalleled.

For instance, this state has more alcohol-related deaths per capita than any other. In New Mexico, for example, 51,2 per 100,000 individuals die from alcohol-related causes.

Unsurprisingly, these numbers have led to a high frequency of drunk driving accidents. In 2015, alcohol was a factor in 1,037 crashes that led to injuries or deaths.

The 2015 Community Report from the New Mexico Department of Transportation reveals an unusual five-year trend relating to accidents and seasons. Specifically, December is the month with the greatest number of accidents from 2011 to 2015.

Over the last five years, the average number of accidents in December has been 3,977 each month. Only October comes close, with an average of 3,846 accidents every year. With the exception of 2013, December has been the most accident-prone month every year.

There may be a number of factors at play here, including increased holiday traffic and chilly weather. December is the most deadly month for automotive accidents in New Mexico, regardless of the reason.

Additionally, in 2015, driver inattention contributed to 21,894 of the state's 62,787 accidents due to human error. In 2015, failing to cede the right-of-way was the second leading cause of crashes, contributing to 6,602 crashes.

How to Prevent Car Accidents in New Mexico

Both the government and individual motorists are accountable for reducing these alarming traffic fatality rates. The government may develop new policies to reduce traffic accidents, strengthen the enforcement of current laws and regulations, and improve driver education programs.

Drivers may help by complying with traffic laws, avoiding distractions such as texting and phone conversations, and avoiding alcohol and drugs before getting behind the wheel.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a careless or reckless driver in New Mexico, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. You might also be entitled to compensation for additional losses, such as funeral and burial costs, if your loved one was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver.

Steps to Take After a Car Crash

Eventually, most drivers will be involved in an accident. Recovering from your injuries and losses after an accident is stressful and difficult; thus, defensive driving should be practiced whenever possible.

Still, you can’t avoid every car accident. And when you've been involved in a crash that's occurred through no fault of your own, you must take a few important steps.

First, stop the vehicle, check for injuries, and call 911. If you have been involved in an accident resulting in injuries or property damage, you are expected to stop as close to the crash site as possible.

The 911 operator will want to know the nature of the incident, your location, whether or not anybody is harmed, and what is happening at the site. Look for road signs, exit numbers, and mile markers, and list any surrounding landmarks. Inform the dispatcher of your direction of travel. If emergency personnel know where to locate you, they will arrive more quickly.

If the collision results in injuries, drivers are expected to provide necessary aid in New Mexico, which includes arranging transportation to the hospital for wounded parties. Notifying the 911 dispatcher about injuries at the accident site satisfies the need to make plans for transferring the wounded to a medical facility.

Should I Exchange Information with Another Driver?

Drivers must also provide their driver's license and offer their name, address, and registration number to anybody involved in the collision. Moreover, drivers involved in a motor vehicle collision in New Mexico that results in bodily injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more are required to alert local authorities promptly. If the driver is unable to report the incident, a passenger may do so.

The investigating officer will secure the site, assess any threats, and direct traffic. The officer will also organize treatment for the wounded, establish liability, and collect data for the formal accident report.

Contact a New Mexico Car Accident Attorney

Overall, these numbers illuminate the realities of New Mexico's automobile accidents. However, if you or a loved one have been injured in one of these crashes, please get in touch with Will Ferguson & Associates for a consultation.

Call our Albuquerque automobile accident attorneys at (505) 243-5566 to learn how we can review the facts of your case to see whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

If we determine that you and your family are entitled to compensation, we will handle every aspect of your legal claim and offer you representation from a recognized team of Albuquerque car accident attorneys.

Immediately contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the circumstances of your New Mexico auto accident. We are here to assist in obtaining justice on your behalf.

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