Jones Injury Attorneys | September 14, 2026 | Motorcycle Accidents
Head injuries are a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents in New Mexico and across the United States. Riders have little protection around them, so a crash can cause severe brain and head injuries even when it happens at a lower speed.
Understanding what the leading cause of death is in motorcycle accidents also shows why helmets and other safety gear matter. Still, head injuries are not the only danger. Riders can also suffer fatal injuries to the chest, spine, and internal organs.
Why Are Head Injuries So Dangerous?
A motorcycle does not have the frame, airbags, or seat belts that help protect people inside passenger vehicles. During a crash, a rider may hit another vehicle, the pavement, or a fixed object.
A strong blow to the head can cause injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Brain bleeding
- Brain swelling
- Severe concussions
These injuries can affect breathing, movement, memory, and other basic functions. Severe brain damage can be fatal even when a rider receives emergency treatment quickly.
How Common Are Fatal Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists make up a large share of traffic deaths compared with the number of motorcycles on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024. Motorcycle deaths made up 16% of all traffic fatalities that year.
NHTSA has also identified head injuries as a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. This is one reason helmet use remains a major part of motorcycle safety efforts.
How Do Motorcycle Helmets Help?
A helmet is designed to absorb some of the force that would otherwise reach a rider’s head during a crash. The NHTSA recommends DOT-compliant helmets because they must meet federal safety standards. A proper helmet can reduce the risk of serious head and brain injuries.
A helmet cannot prevent every fatal injury. However, it gives the head another layer of protection when a rider strikes the road, a vehicle, or another object.
Does New Mexico Require Motorcycle Helmets?
New Mexico requires motorcycle riders and passengers under age 18 to wear approved helmets.
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division explains that riders under 18 must wear a securely fastened helmet that meets required safety standards. Adult riders are not covered by the same statewide helmet requirement.
Even when a helmet is not legally required, wearing one can reduce the risk of a deadly head injury.
What Other Injuries Can Cause Death?
Head trauma may be a leading cause of death, but motorcycle crashes can cause several other life-threatening injuries.
Fatal injuries may include:
- Severe chest trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Major blood vessel injuries
- Multiple broken bones
A rider may suffer several serious injuries in the same crash. The cause of death may therefore involve more than one form of trauma.
What Causes Fatal Motorcycle Crashes?
Many different events can lead to a deadly motorcycle collision. Common causes include:
- Drivers failing to see motorcycles
- Unsafe left turns
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Following too closely
Some crashes involve only the motorcycle, while others happen because another driver enters the rider’s path or fails to yield.
What if Another Driver Causes a Fatal Motorcycle Accident?
When another driver causes a fatal motorcycle crash in New Mexico, the rider’s surviving family may have legal options.
A wrongful death claim may seek compensation for losses caused by the death. Evidence such as crash reports, photos, video footage, witness statements, and vehicle data can help show how the collision happened.
New Mexico also uses comparative fault. If more than one person helped cause the crash, responsibility can be divided among the parties based on their share of fault.
Contact Jones Injury Attorneys To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Albuquerque Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Head injuries are a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Riders can suffer severe brain trauma when their heads strike the roadway, another vehicle, or another object during a crash.
Helmets can reduce the risk of serious head injuries, but they cannot prevent every death. Safe riding, careful driving by other motorists, and proper protective gear can all help lower the risk of a fatal motorcycle crash.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a crash in New Mexico, reach out to Jones Injury Attorneys today. We offer a free consultation with an Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyer.
We proudly take cases in all of New Mexico.
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