Jones Injury Attorneys | August 20, 2026 | Car Accidents
Most people in New Mexico hop into a vehicle multiple times per day to get from one place to another, and the thought of dying in a car crash never crosses their mind. However, the sad reality is that car accidents claim the lives of hundreds of people in New Mexico every year. A single crash is all it takes to completely change your family’s future.
Keep reading below to learn more about car crash statistics in New Mexico, as well as what can be done to prevent some of these deaths.
New Mexico Car Accident Statistics
New Mexico sees tens of thousands of car accidents each year. In 2024, there were 45,042 reported car accidents involving 109,761 people. These accidents resulted in 19,244 injuries, and 444 people were killed. As you can see from these statistics, your odds of dying in a car crash are fairly low, but your risk of being injured in a car accident is much higher.
Another sad and concerning fact about these accidents is that human-related contributing factors were present in more than 77% of fatal accidents in New Mexico. This shows that most fatal accidents were likely preventable. For instance, impaired driving from drugs and alcohol was a contributing factor in more than 25% of all fatal crashes across the state.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
There are many things that can cause an accident, but there are a handful of causes that consistently rank as the top contributing factors. When it comes to fatal accidents, impaired driving, driver inattention (distracted driving), and excessive speed are the main causes.
Drivers today face an almost endless supply of distractions. Cell phones, GPS systems, vehicle entertainment systems, and other distractions all compete for a driver’s attention. Instead, drivers must be diligent about avoiding these distractions and keeping their focus on the road.
Impaired driving is another leading cause of fatal injuries. These crashes are totally avoidable by simply not getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Lastly, excessive speed causes a significant percentage of all fatal crashes. Drivers must learn to slow down and drive a safe speed, especially when the road conditions are less than perfect.
Reducing Your Chances of Dying in a Car Crash
If you want to reduce your odds of dying in a car crash, there are some things you can do. Based on recent crash data, these factors are likely to have the biggest influence on your chances of dying in a crash.
To reduce accident chances, you should:
- Never drive while impaired: Drugs and alcohol have a substantial effect on your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, and impaired driving greatly increases your odds of a fatal accident.
- Slow down: Excessive speed is the main cause of many fatal accidents, and drivers are in total control of this contributing factor.
- Wear your seat belt: Seat belts save lives, and failure to wear your seat belt could put you at a higher risk of injury or death if you are involved in a car accident.
- Remove distractions: Put down the cell phone and avoid other distractions to keep your focus on the road.
- Take extra precautions at night: Nighttime driving presents more risk because of reduced visibility and potential drowsiness, so drivers must be extra careful when driving at night.
While there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of an accident, following these tips can greatly reduce your odds of being in a fatal accident.
What Can I Do if I Lose a Loved One in a Car Crash?
If you have lost a loved one in a car crash due to another driver’s negligence, you may have a right to pursue legal action. Surviving family members have a right to pursue compensation for:
- Final medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of income
- Physical and emotional pain of your loss
After a fatal accident, it is important to act quickly because your time to file a wrongful death claim is limited. New Mexico law typically allows you three years to file your claim, but waiting can make it harder to gather evidence and prove your case.
Contact Jones Injury Attorneys To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Albuquerque Personal Injury Attorney
Although the odds of dying in any single car trip are low, New Mexico crash statistics show that hundreds of people lose their lives on the state’s roads each year. Impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and other driver behaviors contribute to many fatal crashes.
Safe driving habits can reduce the risk, but not every accident can be prevented. When a serious or fatal crash occurs, contact Jones Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation with an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer and let us help.
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8205 Spain Rd NE #111-B, Albuquerque, NM 87109
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