Study: New Mexico Has Highest Rate of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

Compared with other states, New Mexico has a high rate of pedestrian accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that in recent years the average number of pedestrian deaths per capita in New Mexico was two times higher than the national average.

The national rate was 1.53 deaths per 100,000 people, and New Mexico’s rate was 3.55 deaths per 100,000 people.

What puts pedestrians at a higher risk in New Mexico?

The NHTSA study found that multiple factors contributed to car-pedestrian collisions, but alcohol was a main factor. Intoxication on the part of drivers or pedestrians greatly increases the risk of an accident.

Distracted driving was also a significant factor, as was jaywalking.

Injured pedestrians deserve full and fair compensation when driver negligence causes a crash.

Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in New Mexico, and driver negligence takes many forms, including:

• Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Passing a stopped school bus when children are present
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Texting while driving
• Drunk or drugged driving

Even if a negligent driver is clearly at fault for the accident, you may encounter obstacles to obtaining all of the compensation to which you are entitled.

Insurance companies are in business to make a profit – and not necessarily to pay accident victims the full amount they are owed. In fact, an insurance company may even try to shift blame for a pedestrian accident onto the injured pedestrian.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should have a legal team on your side to take on the insurance company and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Such compensation can cover a variety of costs, including medical bills, future care costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation and more.

At Youngers Law, our attorneys have more than 46 years of collective experience in helping accident victims obtain compensation and rebuild their lives. We advise and represent clients throughout New Mexico.