Santa Fe Common Causes of Car Crashes

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, a car crash occurs somewhere in the state every 14 minutes. That adds up to a lot of collisions every year, many of which result from careless drivers. But what kind of driver behavior most commonly leads to preventable crashes?

Parnall Law explores the top five causes of car accidents in Santa Fe and across the Land of Enchantment. Contact us today if you’d like to speak with a car accident lawyer in Santa Fe at no cost or obligation to you.

Speeding

If you want to stay safe while driving around Santa Fe, one of the best things you can do is watch your speed. Speeding is exceptionally dangerous, and yet too many drivers do it all the time. The faster you travel, the harder it is to see what is happening around you and safely control your vehicle. Speeding also increases the severity of injuries in the event of a collision. Being hit by a car that is speeding hits with greater force the faster it is moving at the time of impact. Our personal injury lawyers in Santa Fe and throughout New Mexico have seen firsthand how dangerous speeding can be and want to help you pursue justice and accountability after a speeding accident.

Aggressive Driving

Drivers who operate their vehicles aggressively place themselves and other road users at risk. Aggressive driving includes such intimidating tactics as:

  • Weaving through traffic
  • Following too closely
  • Succumbing to road rage
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Making illegal turns

If you were hurt by a distracted driver, contact an auto accident attorney in Santa Fe today to protect your rights.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become a bigger problem as more technology has found its way into our cars. Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention off the task of driving, including:

  • Talking on the phone
  • Texting
  • Snacking
  • Grooming
  • Daydreaming
  • Looking out the window

Distracted drivers are much more likely to cause a crash because they are not watching what they are doing.

Failure To Obey Traffic Signals

Traffic lights, stop signs, speed limit signs, and other signs and signals control the flow of traffic. Drivers who ignore them cause chaos on the roads, which can easily give way to preventable collisions.

Illegal Passing and Lane Changes

Drivers need to ensure their blind spots are clear and that they have enough space to maneuver when overtaking other vehicles or changing lanes. Drivers who fail to do so risk colliding with vehicles that have the right of way.

For All Personal Injury Cases, Call Parnall Law Today

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that someone else caused, they could owe you compensation for the losses you have sustained as a result – losses like medical and repair bills, lost wages from time off work, and even the pain you suffered because of your injuries. Bert Parnall is an experienced car accident attorney in New Mexico who knows how to demand the full and fair compensation you need. Find out how he and his team can help you by contacting Parnall Law today.