In July, three people were killed and two others were hurt in a single-vehicle rollover accident on U.S. Highway 550 near Cuba, New Mexico. According to New Mexico State Police, an 18-year-old driver was headed south in a Toyota Sequoia when he drifted to the right. He reportedly over-corrected, left the roadway, and rolled the vehicle more than once. Sadly, an 18-year-old University of Utah football player, a 19-year-old Texas A&M football player, and a 13-year-old boy were killed in the car wreck. Following the crash, the driver and another passenger were taken to the San Juan Medical Center in Farmington for medical treatment.
It is currently unclear what caused the 18-year-old motorist to lose control of the automobile. Authorities stated two of the individuals killed were ejected from the Toyota as a result of the rollover accident. Police added that it appears the driver was the only person traveling in the car who was wearing a safety belt when the collision occurred.
Unfortunately, many tragic single-car crashes like this one occur on the interstates and other roadways throughout the State of New Mexico every year. In 2011, 353 people were killed in a traffic accident in our state. Of those killed, 240 deaths resulted from a single-vehicle crash. Dangerous road or weather conditions, motor vehicle defects, and swerving to avoid a negligent driver frequently cause one-car accidents.
Data collected by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims about 81 percent of drivers across the nation utilized a safety restraint in 2006. In New Mexico, almost 90 percent of motorists wore a seat belt during the same time period. Still, approximately half of all drivers and passengers killed in a New Mexico traffic wreck in 2006 neglected to wear a safety belt.
Although everyone traveling by car in our state is required to wear a seat belt, New Mexico is a comparative fault accident state. This means an individual who was hurt or certain relatives of someone who was killed in a traffic wreck may be entitled to recover damages even if they chose not to use a safety restraint. Because of this, you are advised to discuss your rights with a skilled lawyer after any injury accident.
Contact the Fine Law Firm if you or a family member was injured in a one-vehicle or other traffic collision in New Mexico. Our knowledgeable New Mexico car accident attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience helping the victims of devastating injuries receive the financial compensation they deserve based on the severity of their injuries. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with a dedicated advocate, do not hesitate to give the caring lawyers at the Fine Law Firm a call at (505) 889-3463 or contact us through our website.
More Blog Posts:
61-Year-Old Killed in Doña Ana County Head-On Crash After Another Motorist Crosses Center Line, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 24, 2013
Motorcycle Accident on I-25 Near Cañoncito Tragically Kills 39-Year-Old Los Alamos Man, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 22, 2013
Additional Resources:
A&M Football Player Killed in New Mexico Accident, by Steve Fullhart, kbtx.com