2010 New Mexico Traffic Accident Information

New Mexico Department of Transportation has released traffic accident statistics for 2010, which show distinct trends.
The latest report concerning traffic accidents in the state of New Mexico published by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) is for the year 2010. Close to 19,000 individuals were injured in traffic crashes that year while another 349 people died as a result. Statistics show that, on a 10-year trend, many improvements have occurred in the state in regards to such collisions, including a consistent downtrend in fatalities, total crashes, the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled, alcohol-related crashes, alcohol-involved drivers under the age of 21, and teen drivers (aged 15 – 19) involved in crashes. This is good news for road and highway safety in the state.

The bad news in New Mexico traffic accident data is that the state’s fatality rate continues to range higher than the national average. Furthermore, teen drivers aged 15 – 19 involved in traffic crashes in the state numbered close to three times that of the national average. Other negative statistics showed that 41.5 percent of all traffic accident fatalities are still alcohol-related. Fatalities involving drivers and passengers who were not wearing seatbelts decreased by only one percent in 2010 from 2009 levels. 98 percent of all motorcyclists who were involved in traffic collisions were not wearing helmets while 100 percent of those who died in traffic collisions were not wearing helmets. Three counties in the state saw an increase of alcohol-related traffic crashes: Lea, Taos, and San Miguel.

Nearly everyone knows someone who has been involved in a traffic crash if they haven’t had an accident themselves. The consequences of these accidents can be devastating, exacting a physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families. The majority of them are caused by human error, whether it involves driver inattention or some other form of negligence. Personal injury law allows these individuals to recover financial compensation to deal with the consequences of injuries and wrongful deaths. The services of a competent personal injury lawyer can help to ensure that the compensation recovered is fair and just and not merely a token sum from an insurance company more interested in preserving its profits.