New Mexico Fatal Crash Statistics

New Mexico Fatal Crash Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports in the 2014 Traffic Safety Performance Core Outcomes that overall traffic fatalities fell between 2005 and 2014 from 488 to 383. While this does represent a gradual decline, it also represents an increase over the total fatalities of 2008 through 2013.

The types of crashes that took lives in New Mexico include:

  • 244 deaths in single-vehicle accidents
  • 175 deaths involved roadway departures
  • 129 involved at least one speeding driver
  • 124 deaths in rollover accidents
  • 71 fatalities involved at least one large truck
  • 54 deaths involved intersection traffic

About 229 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in roadway crashes in 2014. Unfortunately, 98 were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, though this is a significant decrease from the 183 unrestrained persons who died in 2005. The NHTSA estimates that an additional 22 lives could have been saved if all occupants would wear their seatbelts every time they get into a vehicle.

Aside from not wearing seatbelts, other negligent behaviors include speeding and drunk driving. Even while the state is working towards zero preventable traffic deaths, drivers must do their part. Still, alcohol was involved in the deaths of 116 people in 2014, up from 97 the year prior, and down from the ten years high of 149 deaths.

Speeding-related deaths show a gradual decrease though the totals for individual years show that more needs to be done to stem this dangerous behavior. While these speeding fatalities decreased from a ten-year high of 173 in 2005 down to 129 in 2014, they increased from the ten-year low of 69 in 2009.

The number of motorcycle fatalities increased to 46 from a decade low of 38, and unfortunately, the vast majority of these riders were not wearing protective head gear. In fact, 35 riders were not wearing helmets when they were involved in fatal accidents. The NHTSA estimates that current helmets saved six lives at the current usage rate and could save an additional 14 lives if all riders wore them every time they rode.

Pedestrian deaths increased across the country, including in New Mexico. In fact, more pedestrians were fatally injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2014 than in any year the ten years prior. The Albuquerque Journal reports that alcohol is a key factor in the high number of pedestrians and bicyclists who are injured or killed in the state each year. Unfortunately, 79 bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and hikers died in motor vehicle accidents in 2014.

New Mexico’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you have been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.

Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a –

  • Commercial bus crashes
  • School bus accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Truck crashes
  • Motorcycle collisions
  • Commercial vehicle accidents
  • Semi-truck crashes

We will fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.


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