The Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents in New Mexico
It’s no secret that motorcyclists face extra risks compared to truck or car accidents. Motorcycle riders are expected and required to make split-second decisions and are inherently more exposed to both their own errors and the negligence of other motorists on the road. Even a minor motorcycle accident can lead to severe injury, and the motorcycle accident statistics in New Mexico will prove that. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that over 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, and the death rate of motorcycle accidents compared to car accidents is 4x greater.
Furthermore, according to a yearly study by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), over 5000 motorcyclists were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2019. Of those 5000+ motorcycle accidents, 94% of those killed were drivers and 6% were passengers. Of all of those motorcycle accident deaths, 42 of those deaths occurred in New Mexico. Unfortunately, New Mexico is routinely mentioned as one of the more dangerous states when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, and motorcycle crashes are no exception. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, contact an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your options.
Recent Motorcycle Accident Statistics in New Mexico
Motorcycles have plenty of benefits and offer a rush of adrenaline that so many people enjoy, but before you decide to purchase a motorcycle or ride without being on high alert of other motorists, we encourage everyone to read and understand some of the dangerous motorcycle accident statistics in New Mexico. A recent study by the University of New Mexico uncovered some eye-opening statistics surrounding motorcycle accidents in New Mexico. Some of the key findings of the study include:
- Motorcycles were involved in 2.3 percent of all crashes and 14.2 percent of all fatal crashes.
- The number of motorcyclists in crashes fell to 1,210, its lowest level in the past five years.
- The percentage of all motorcyclists in crashes who were killed was 4.0 percent, whereas the percentage of all people in crashes who were killed was 0.3 percent.
- 4.3 percent of all helmeted motorcyclists (drivers and passengers) in crashes were killed, compared with 7.7 percent of unhelmeted motorcyclists.
- Of motorcyclists (drivers and passengers) in crashes, 30.0 percent were reported on the UCR form as not wearing a helmet. However, helmet use data were missing for 33.6 percent of motorcyclists in crashes.
- Among motorcycle vehicles in fatal crashes, Alcohol/Drug Involvement was the most prevalent top contributing factor, with 46.2 percent.
- Among the past five years, 2018 had the lowest rate of motorcycle drivers in crashes per 1,000 licensed motorcycle drivers, at 9.2.
- The number of male motorcyclists in crashes was 6.1 times that of female motorcyclists in crashes.
Injured? Contact A New Mexico Motorcycle Accident Right Away
Motorcycle accidents are all too common and sometimes inevitable due to other motorists’ negligence. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Lunas or Albuquerque, you must call the personal injury lawyer New Mexico residents trust. Jonathan Garcia has represented countless clients that have suffered from motorcycle accidents. Don’t be a victim twice, call Garcia Legal today.