Accidents In New Mexico

Fatal Car Accident in New Mexico Yesterday

There are approximately 623,955 registered vehicles in New Mexico. This does not account for the countless tourist visiting the “Land of Enchantment.” There are plenty of great reasons to travel throughout the state. It is truly beautiful and there is a lot to see. Although they do not all share the road at once, with so many vehicles in operation there are an abundance of opportunities for fatal car accidents in New Mexico. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of over 120 people die every day in vehicle accidents across the United States. In 2020, there were 365 fatal car accidents in New Mexico. Learn more about how these occur and keep up with the latest news, including fatal car accidents in New Mexico yesterday and today. 

Fatal Car Accidents in New Mexico

Each year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world. There are countless reasons that car accidents occur, but the large majority of the time, the root cause is driver error. New Mexico tends to sit in the middle when it comes to most national driving statistics. But in 2018 New Mexico ranked fifth highest for driving fatalities. 

Fatal Car Accident in New Mexico Today

On this page, we strive to keep the community up to date on the most recent car accidents that have occurred in New Mexico. If you’re looking for information about serious or even fatal car accidents in New Mexico from yesterday, today, or the recent past, review our detailed news recaps below.

Common Causes of Serious Car Accidents

Distracted driving ranks as one of the most common reasons fatal car accidents occur. In 2019 and 2020, New Mexico was rated highest for distracted driving as reported by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. For every 100,000 drivers, the state reported 10 distracted driving fatalities which total 38 percent of all fatal crashes in the state. Distractions include things like:

• Texting and driving, 
• Changing the radio station, 
• Searching for something on the floorboard,
• Turning to look at other passengers in the vehicle, or 
• Fixating on something along the side of the road. 

With the addition of smartphones, a fatal car accident in New Mexico today could be attributed to any number of mobile distractions. There are some factors that will always increase the probability of accidents. Some other common causes of fatal accidents include

• Excessive speed, 
• Driving while fatigued, and 
• Alcohol or drug impairment. 

In some cases, road and weather conditions may also be a factor. Icy or wet roads may prevent tires from being able to grip the road. Roads that are poorly maintained and have potholes or lack traffic signs can also lead to serious vehicle accidents. When it comes to roads in New Mexico, 34% are rated as being in poor condition. 

Recent Fatal Car accidents in New Mexico

It may seem like there are new accidents every day. For reference, 2022 was a year with quite a few fatal car accidents. Here are the statistics according to the New Mexico Department of transportation:

• There were 476 fatal accidents in New Mexico;
• July had the most fatalities (51) and June had the least (26);
• Alcohol was involved in 106 of the fatalities;
• There were 57 accident victims under the age of 21; and
• Bernalillo County had the largest number of fatalities at 111.

The number of total accidents in 2022 was down by 14 from 2021.  Below, you’ll find up-to-date information on fatal car accidents in New Mexico, which can shed light on what actions to take should you find yourself in these types of situations. Please remember to drive carefully for your sake and others. If you or a loved one suffers injury in an accident, reach out to our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.. We can help you understand your options and take the burden of seeking just compensation off your plate. Contact us today to learn more.

Latest Accident News in New Mexico