Last week, a tragic head on collision left two dead and one injured just outside Carlsbad, New Mexico. According to a report by the Carlsbad Current-Argus, the accident occurred on Eddy County Road 605 shortly after 6 a.m. Apparently, a Toyota Tundra was heading southbound on the highway and a Ford Focus was heading northbound. The accident occurred in the northbound lane, when the driver of the Tundra veered over the center line.
Both the driver and the passenger in the Ford Focus were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Tundra was also taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.
According to the driver of the Tundra, he was getting over to pass a water truck when the accident occurred. However, police could not find a water truck at the scene and the driver’s story could not otherwise be verified. Police determined that inattentive driving was a contributing factor to the accident and cited the driver for careless driving and for driving without a seatbelt. Police also determined that alcohol was not a factor in the fatal accident.
Distracted Driving Claims Another Life in New Mexico
Distracted driving claims about as many lives per year as drunk driving. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board claims that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to get into an accident. And with the increasing prevalence of cell phones, incidents of distracted driving continue to go up. However, the New Mexico Legislature has caught on to the dangers of cell phone use while driving and has submitted a bill that would ban drivers from using their phones while driving if it passes.
New Mexico’s Proposed Anti-Texting Legislation
Under the proposed law, drivers would not be able to text or use their phones to make calls, even while stopped at red lights. The first offense would result in a $25 fine and subsequent offenses would bring a $50 fine.
Currently, new Mexico is among many other states that bans all cell phone use for teens and other new drivers. The new law would mean that New Mexico joins the 41 other states that makes texting while driving for drivers of all ages.
Have You Been Involved in a New Mexico Auto Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious New Mexico car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Under New Mexico law, accident victims are entitled to recover damages from those responsible for the accident. In many cases of distracted driving accidents, plaintiffs are able to obtain large monetary awards based on the negligence of the distracted driver. To find out more about the negligence laws in New Mexico, and to further discuss the facts of your case, contact an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney. With an attorney’s assistance you will be able to better understand your available options and what you need to do to preserve your claim. The Fine Law Firm has the dedication and experience you need to effectively bring your New Mexico car accident case. Contact the Fine Law Firm at 505-889-FINE, or online.
More Blog Posts:
New Mexico Man Caught Driving While Intoxicated for the Eleventh Time, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 23, 2014.
Rare Jury Verdict Reminds Drivers in New Mexico and Nationwide to Drive Sober, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 20, 2014.