A 42-year-old man from Mcintosh, New Mexico was killed in an accident near Presidio, Texas earlier this month when he lost control of his SUV and was ejected after the vehicle rolled. According to a local news report, the man was driving northbound on Highway 67 about 10 miles from the US-Mexico border in Presidio County, Texas on April 8 when at about 8:00 a.m. a tire blew out on the Honda SUV that he was driving, causing the vehicle to swerve off the roadway. When he tried to regain control and return the car to the roadway, he overcorrected, causing the car to roll over onto its side. The car rolled several times, and the man, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown out of the vehicle and died at the scene.
The Danger of Ejection in Rollover Accidents
One of the greatest threats to a driver’s or passenger’s safety in the event of a rollover accident is the risk that the person will be ejected from the vehicle once it starts rolling. An accident victim’s chances of survival are significantly lower when he or she is ejected from the vehicle. The largest deciding factor to determine whether a car occupant will be ejected is whether the person is wearing their seatbelt.
If the occupant of a car is wearing his or her seatbelt, the chances of them being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a rollover and seriously injured or killed are significantly reduced. Because of this fact, it is extremely important that all of a car’s occupants are properly buckled up, especially when the car is traveling at high speeds or for long distances.
Financial Responsibility to Passengers in Single-Vehicle Crashes
The community that was affected by this month’s fatal car accident is fortunate that there were no other passengers in the man’s car, since there could have very easily been more people injured or killed by the accident. Passengers who are injured or killed in a single-vehicle accident, such as a rollover, may be able to recover compensation for their injuries from the driver of the car or their insurance company by filing a New Mexico personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Negligent drivers who are not paying attention or are speeding can be responsible to their passengers in the event of an accident, and a skilled Albuquerque car accident attorney can help accident victims navigate the complexities of a New Mexico accident lawsuit so the client can make the best decision for their future. If an accident lawsuit is filed and tried correctly, accident victims may be able to receive financial compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship, as well as compensation for permanent disabilities and other damages.
Have You Been in an Accident?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a New Mexico rollover accident and was injured or killed, be sure and talk to a competent attorney and discuss your legal rights before moving forward with any settlement or other course of action. The skilled attorneys at the Fine Law Firm are experienced with New Mexico car crash cases, and we have gotten damage awards for our clients to help them recover from the difficulties that victims encounter after being involved in an accident. Call now at (585) 989-3463 or sign up online to schedule a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Family of Man Killed by New Mexico Police Office Files Suit, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 1, 2015.
Skateboarder Hit and Killed in Fatal DUI Accident in New Mexico, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, February 25, 2015.