Albuquerque Car Accident Statistics 2024

Across the country, there are around 36,000 motor vehicle crashes every day. That’s an average of more than 13 million per year. Fender benders may seem like an unavoidable part of owning a vehicle, but serious collisions could lead to life-altering injuries that require the services of an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer to secure compensation. One way that drivers can be better informed about the dangers of driving (and learn potential tips for avoiding crashes) is through an overview of Albuquerque car accident statistics.

We can never predict when an automobile accident will occur, although we can take proactive steps to lower those risks. If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash, the attorneys at Berenson & Associates, PC, can represent your family in a civil claim that helps you recover, both emotionally and financially, from the accident. A successful case could hold the negligent party accountable while helping the victim of a car crash recoup lost wages and more.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Albuquerque?

A 2023 survey of 3,000 motorists identified the most feared roads in the country. Topping the most feared list was the New Mexico stretch of U.S. Route 285. Speed contributes to the danger of traveling along the highway west of the City of Jal. The 50-mile stretch was recently designated a safety corridor in an effort to lower car crash incidents. On any given day, an average of two-thirds of cars traversing the highway drive over the speed limit. Some vehicles drive in excess of 100 miles per hour (161 kph).

Recent data shows that drivers are more than eight times more likely to have a deadly crash in Bernalillo County than the national average. Pedestrians are also at a higher risk of being struck in that county. The same report found that 29 pedestrians were killed between San Mateo and Eubank over the past five years.

When Am I at the Highest Risk of an Automobile Collision?

Although a collision can occur at any time, there are certain times of day and seasons of the year when collisions tend to occur more often. Being aware of these risks can help you be on the lookout for dangerous situations that require extra caution.

Between spring and summer, most fatal car collisions occur between 8 p.m. and midnight. This is most likely due to factors like low visibility and driver fatigue. The most dangerous time shifts to 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from November through March. Of the 12 months, August, July, and October are the deadliest. Vehicle crashes tend to spike on Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Environments can have a contributing role in vehicle crash statistics. Anyone who lives in an urban area is statistically more likely to experience a highway crash, while rural areas see more accidents on small local roads.
Age is another factor. Teenagers are far more likely to experience a car accident than more experienced drivers.

Drivers can greatly reduce the risk of being in an accident by:

• Driving at or below the speed limit
• Maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you
• Driving sober
• Practicing defensive driving measures
• Avoiding distractions and focusing on the road

Even the most careful driving practices cannot prevent you from becoming involved in a driving accident. In those cases, you may require the legal services of a personal injury lawyer.

I’ve Been Hit in an Accident, Now What?

First, focus on your immediate safety and the safety of those around you. If you are in a serious accident, call the police. They may send an ambulance to the location. If the police come to the scene, provide a detailed account of what led to the accident. Take photos of the car wreck scene. That evidence could prove important later on. Once you are safely away from the accident scene, start researching a New Mexico law firm that has experience handling personal injury cases involving motor vehicles.

FAQs

Q: How Many Car Accidents Are There in Albuquerque?

A: In 2021, there were 13,955 total traffic accidents in Albuquerque. As Albuquerque grows, those figures are likely to grow. As noted earlier, speed is a contributing factor to many car accidents in New Mexico. In general, speeding is a top contributor to car crashes across the nation, along with factors like driver age and alcohol consumption.

Q: Where Are the Most Fatal Types of Car Accidents?

A: Head-on collisions are more likely to cause serious injury or a fatality due to the combined speeds of both vehicles and the direct impact on the driver and front passenger. Similarly, any time a vehicle hits an object straight on, whether it be a stationary car or a large object, those collisions can cause serious damage. Side-impact collisions are also one of the more fatal forms of car collisions. Side-impact airbags were invented to cut down on the force and damage caused by one car colliding into the side of another vehicle.

Q: What’s the Most Accident-Prone Car?

A: Any vehicle model must pass federal and state guidelines before it can be sold in the United States. Many of the most “accident-prone” vehicles end up being the most popular vehicles, meaning that their higher presence on the roads is a leading contributor to their higher prevalence in car accidents. Honda Accords and Ford Mustangs are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents than, say, a rare imported car.

Q: How Do Most Car Accidents Happen in the U.S.?

A: There is no single factor that contributes to vehicle accidents. While there are rare occasions where a mechanical failure or unseen object on the road can cause an accident, most collisions occur as the result of driver error. Drivers are prone to being distracted or engaging in speeding or aggressive driving. When a driver is at fault for injuring another driver, a personal injury attorney can seek monetary damages through civil litigation.

Hire an Experienced Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer

Automobile accidents may be a reality of life, but it doesn’t mean that the other party cannot be held liable for damages. If you or a loved one was involved in a car crash that resulted from the other driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to monetary damages.

Personal injury cases can be complicated and involve multiple parties. Working with an experienced law firm, like Berenson & Associates, PC, can improve the chances that your case will have a successful outcome. Don’t put off scheduling your consultation with one of our esteemed attorneys.