New Mexico Car Accident Facts: Statistics & Figures

Operating a motor vehicle requires constant attention and vigilance. Sadly, far too many New Mexico drivers fail in this obligation, which is why our state is one of the top five for fatal traffic accidents. The following New Mexico car accident facts and figures underscore the gravity of the issue.

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Key New Mexico Car Accident Statistics

According to the Albuquerque Journal and the most recent data available, there were 467 traffic-related deaths across the state in one recent year. This figure is slightly lower than the number from the previous year (481 traffic fatalities), but it is significantly higher than the 398 deaths that occurred the year before that.

On average, about 30 percent of traffic collisions result in injuries, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Nearly 18,000 people suffered injuries in traffic collisions in a recent year. This means that one person is injured in a crash every 29 minutes.

According to data from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, car accidents occur most frequently on weekdays during morning and early evening rush hours. The highest proportion of crashes that result in death happen between 3 pm and 6 pm, while the highest proportion of auto accidents resulting in injury occur between 6 pm and 9 pm.

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Common types of car accidents in New Mexico include:

Rear-end accidents
Head-on collisions
Sideswipe accidents
T-bone collisions
Rollover accidents
Backing-up accidents
Hit-and run accidents
Accidents involving trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians

According to New Mexico’s Health Indicator Data & Statistics, the counties in New Mexico with the highest rate of fatal car accidents are Catron, McKinley, and Mora. Our state is also among the country’s top five states regarding traffic deaths per 100,000 residents.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Transportation lists the following as the five primary contributing factors to New Mexico car accidents:

Driver inattention – When a motorist’s attention is on their phone, GPS device, or food, they are unprepared for changing road conditions.
Driving under the influence of drugs – According to Safer New Mexico, drugged driving is on the rise, and it is responsible for a high proportion of deadly accidents.
Driving under the influence of alcohol – According to the CDC, more than 1,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in New Mexico in a recent 10-year period.
Excessive speed – Exceeding the speed limit or going too fast for conditions can make accidents both more likely and more deadly.
Failure to yield the right of way – Yielding the right of way is not just polite. It’s the law, and following it can save lives.

Contact a New Mexico Car Accident Lawyer for Help

If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in New Mexico, don’t let yourself become another statistic. The New Mexico car accident attorneys at Parnall Law Firm can help you demand compensation for your medical expenses, lost income due to missed time at work, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can assist you.

Bertrand Russell Parnall

Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.

Years of Experience: 27+ years

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