The Devastating Impact of Albuquerque High-Speed Crashes & How to Seek Justice

High-speed crashes typically have serious consequences, such as catastrophic injuries, fatalities, and serious vehicle damage. If you’ve been in such an accident that was caused by someone else, it’s important to understand the devastating impact of Albuquerque high-speed crashes and how to seek justice.

High-Speed Crashes

In a high-speed accident scenario, the risk and seriousness of sustained injuries are increased. Victims can suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Lacerations
• Soft tissue damage
• Burns
• Whiplash
• Airbag and seatbelt injuries (even though these devices are critical to assist with passenger safety)

At high speeds, a crash can cause substantial damage to the vehicles involved and significant financial damages for their owners.

The Impact of a High-Speed Accident

When drivers travel at excessive speeds, their vehicle safety features often fail or have reduced effectiveness. Crumple zones and airbags might be less successful.

Also, a driver operating their vehicle at an extreme speed typically requires a longer amount of time to stop their vehicle, which inherently increases the risk they’ll crash. Furthermore, a high-speed encounter can increase the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, which then makes it harder to avoid causing a collision.

There are many ways a high-speed collision can be devastating in our community, and local data shows that, unfortunately, high-speed crashes in Albuquerque remain common.

Statistical Data for Albuquerque Collisions

Statistics from the New Mexico Department of Transportation show that, in 2023, there were 42,836 traffic crashes that occurred on public roadways, which involved 103,776 residents of New Mexico. Of these crashes, approximately 19,023 people were injured, and 436 people were killed.

This data shows that 1% of crashes statewide resulted in a fatality, while 31% resulted in an injury. On a typical day in New Mexico, about 117 crashes happened, with about 52 people injured and one fatality.

Of note, the largest number of 2023 vehicle crashes happened in Albuquerque, with 13,547 total crashes. Our local Albuquerque population is approximately 560,274 residents, so this was an alarming crash rate for our community.

Contributing Factors in New Mexico Crashes

The website for the City of Albuquerque notes that, in 2022, at least sixty-six people were killed while traveling the streets of Albuquerque. The city continued to work toward improved safety while driving. Nevertheless, the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s New Mexico Traffic Crash Annual Report for the following year shows that serious, high-speed accidents continued to be a concern.

For accidents that resulted in collisions, there were some common factors noted in 2023. 17% of accidents were attributed to driver inattention, 6% involved failure to yield the right-of-way, and 4% were for other improper driving, with the remainder of accidents happening for less common reasons.

Despite this data, it’s worth discussing speeding, as officers in New Mexico are asked to record three types of speed-related contributing factors, including:

• Excessive Speed
• Too Fast for Conditions
• High-Speed Pursuit

Altogether, speeding-involved New Mexico crashes totaled 9.8% of the total crashes in 2023, which totaled 4,199 total crashes for that year. Unfortunately, data shows there were 115 fatalities from high-speed crashes in 2023.

With this data in mind, you may want justice if you’ve been in a speed-related accident that someone else caused.

Seek Justice After a High-Speed Accident

Make sure you’re safe and have received medical attention right after a high-speed Albuquerque accident. Then, report the accident to local authorities and gather relevant accident scene evidence.

To seek recovery after an accident, consider contacting an experienced, licensed attorney to discuss your legal recovery options. An attorney can investigate what happened to cause the accident, handle the claim process, and maximize your financial recovery.

FAQs

Q: Does Albuquerque Have Any High-Speed Accident Hotspots?

A: Yes, Albuquerque has several hotspots for high-speed vehicle accidents along I-25 and I-40. Due to the high speed of travel on these major interstate highways, if an accident happens, it’s usually devastating, involving substantial injuries and vehicle damage. With high-speed accidents happening locally, consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney familiar with this type of claim for help with your own unique accident.

Q: Do Most Crashes Happen When Speeds Are High in NM?

A: No, in New Mexico, the percentage of speeding-involved New Mexico crashes totaled just 9.8% of the total crashes in 2023, versus 90.2% of accidents happening for non-speed-related reasons. Nevertheless, when an accident happens due to high-speed driving, it typically results in substantial property damage and injuries that may not have happened at lower speeds.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for a High-Speed Accident Case?

A: There are a variety of different payment agreements that attorneys use, which are designed to help clients retain an attorney within their budget for legal services. Attorneys across New Mexico use contingency fee structures, hourly rates, flat fee agreements, or retainer and hourly agreements. If you’re considering a specific New Mexico attorney, schedule an initial consultation to discuss their individual written fee structure.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a High-Speed Accident in Albuquerque?

A: In Albuquerque, the deadline, or the statute of limitations, for filing a high-speed accident claim is three years from the date of the accident. This statute of limitations exists to move cases along in a timely manner, before evidence might get lost or be more difficult to gather.

Consider consulting an attorney who can preserve your right to get justice for your accident. An attorney can quickly file your claim so you’re not prevented from seeking financial recovery.

Contact Berenson & Associates, PC – Seek Justice After a High-Speed Accident

Berenson & Associates, PC, protects the rights of victims of high-speed accidents. Our team can provide reliable legal help and answer all your questions. After a high-speed Albuquerque accident, an attorney from our office can navigate complex laws and secure the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

Contact Berenson & Associates, PC, today for an initial consultation.