New Mexico motorcycle accidents can cause serious, painful and costly injuries to the rider. To stay safe as much as possible, motorcyclists should do everything they can to avoid involvement in traffic accidents. This requires learning the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in the state based on accident data and recent trends.
Distracted Driving
Statistics reported by the New Mexico Department of Transportation show that in 2020 (the most recent year data is available), 57 motorcyclists were killed in statewide traffic accidents. There were a total of 1,065 motorcycle-involved crashes. While motorcycle accidents only accounted for 2.5 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in 2020, they made up 14 percent of all fatalities.
Distraction is a major factor involved in serious and deadly motorcycle accidents. Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous, with laws against cell phone use in New Mexico to help discourage this practice. Driver inattention was connected to at least 3,208 deaths and 315,167 injuries in the U.S. in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Distracted driving is especially risky near motorcyclists, as motorcycles are already more difficult to see than larger vehicles. Drivers in New Mexico have a responsibility to pay proper attention to the road and to watch for motorcyclists. Failing to meet this duty due to distracted driving – including texting and driving, eating, drinking, personal grooming, and daydreaming – drastically increases the odds of a motorcycle accident.
Traffic Violations
Drivers and motorcyclists alike increase the probability of accidents when they violate traffic laws. New Mexico has roadway rules in place to help keep vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists safe.
Unfortunately, many motor vehicle drivers break the law and commit various traffic violations, including:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Running red lights
- Rolling through stop signs
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Failing to yield the right-of-way at intersections
- Following and passing motorcyclists too closely
- Making improper lane changes
- Reckless driving
Breaking traffic laws makes a motor vehicle’s position and patterns less predictable to surrounding motorcyclists. As a result, motorcyclists are unable to avoid potential crash risks, such as vehicles changing lanes on top of them. Drivers can be held responsible for moving violations and traffic infractions that result in motorcycle accidents.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Motorcycles are slim and can easily disappear in a driver’s blind spots while on I-25, I-40 and other multilane roads. If a driver doesn’t carefully check his or her blind spots to make a safe lane change, a motorcycle may be hidden in the adjacent lane. This can lead to motorcycle collisions such as sideswipes, multivehicle accidents and no-contact crashes (where the motorcyclist moves to avoid an accident and wrecks the bike).
Dangerous Left Turns
Drivers making left-hand turns at intersections in New Mexico create a dangerous situation for motorcyclists. If a motor vehicle driver misjudges the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcyclist when turning left, the driver may turn directly into the motorcycle, failing to leave enough time for the rider to safely come to a stop. This can result in catastrophic T-bone collisions, head-on collisions or the rider laying the motorcycle down on the road.
Impaired Driving
Drug and alcohol impairment by a motorist or motorcycle rider can be disastrous. Being under the influence can dull the operator’s senses, judgment, reflexes and reaction times. This greatly increases the risk of vehicle collisions.
In addition, drunk and drugged drivers are more likely to engage in reckless behaviors that increase the severity of accidents. Statistics show that from 2016 to 2020, 83 motorcyclists lost their lives in alcohol-involved accidents in New Mexico. This represented 33 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities in the state in those five years.
Dooring
Dooring is a harmful type of motorcycle crash where the rider collides with a motor vehicle’s open door. Dooring can happen when a driver or passenger opens the door of a car without checking for nearby motorcyclists or bicyclists who may be passing by. Dooring can cause serious injuries to motorcyclists by throwing them off their bikes or slicing them with the metal of the door.
Auto Part Defects
If any part of a motorcycle is not working properly, this can lead to a total breakdown of the bike in the middle of a ride. Part defects can affect a motorcycle’s performance, safety and maneuvering.
Even a seasoned rider may not be able to prevent an accident when a bike part (e.g., the tires, engine or brakes) fails or malfunctions en route. In these cases, the injured motorcyclist may be able to bring a product liability claim against the part manufacturer or distributor for a defective part. A breakdown caused by low-quality repairs could also lead to a claim against a mechanic.
Road and Weather Conditions
Environmental conditions in New Mexico can present unique hazards to motorcycle riders. Rapid changes in the weather can catch a motorcyclist off guard in the middle of a ride, such as when a sunny day suddenly becomes a monsoon or dust kicks up and impedes the rider’s visibility.
Dangerous roads can also contribute to motorcycle accidents. The government agencies that own the roads are responsible for keeping them free of potholes, debris, flooding and other defects as much as possible. Negligent road maintenance could make the state or municipal government responsible for a related motorcycle accident.
How to Get Justice for Your Motorcycle Crash in New Mexico
If another party was negligent or reckless and this caused your New Mexico motorcycle accident, you are entitled to seek financial compensation for your related injuries and losses. A careless driver, part manufacturer, government agency or another party may be held liable for your medical bills and property damage through a personal injury claim.
The best way to protect your rights as you seek justice for a preventable motorcycle crash is by hiring an attorney with experience in this practice area. A motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate to determine fault and gather evidence. Then, your attorney can negotiate a fair settlement from an insurance provider while you focus on healing from your life-altering injuries.
To discuss your recovery options and rights in the aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash in New Mexico, contact us today for a free initial consultation.