An adult male driver and a juvenile passenger are both battling for their lives after being thrown from a motorcycle while riding in Albuquerque.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the accident appears to have been caused when a passenger car drove into the path of the motorcyclist. Unfortunately, neither the motorcycle driver nor the passenger was wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck.
This collision highlights the fact that the helmet is a motorcyclist’s most vital piece of safety equipment in the event of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved 1,630 motorcyclists from dying in 2013 – and that another 715 could have been saved if they were wearing helmets.
Were you hurt in a motorcycle crash in New Mexico? Contact an Albuquerque personal-injury attorney from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income and non-economic damages. Call 505-207-4401 to discuss your case in a free initial consultation.
4 Tips to Keep Motorcyclists Safe in New Mexico
A 2009 study in Accident Analysis & Prevention shows that motorcyclists are 34 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers of passenger cars. Because a motorcycle offers little to no protection for riders, motorcyclists are vulnerable to head, neck and back injuries.
This is why New Mexico General Licensing Law 66-7 requires all motorcyclists to wear a securely fastened helmet that is in good working order at all times while operating the vehicle. The NHTSA has reported that helmet laws play a major role in reducing the severity of injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes: In 2013, 59 percent of riders killed in motorcycle accidents were not wearing helmets at the time.
Although a helmet is a critical piece of secondary safety equipment, riders are still vulnerable to injuries in the event of a wreck. As such, it is vital that motorcyclists take steps to reduce their risk of crashing. Four of the most effective accident-prevention strategies include:
- Keep yourself visible by wearing a bright riding jacket, using a headlight, avoiding drivers’ blind spots, and installing reflectors on your vehicle, clothing and helmet;
- Don’t share lanes with other vehicles;
- Clearly signal your intentions;
- And be on the lookout for vehicles that turn in front of you.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, contact an Albuquerque personal-injury attorney from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. An accident attorney in New Mexico will handle the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Our legal team will gather evidence, evaluate the police report, talk to witnesses and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf. If we cannot secure a fair settlement, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial. Call 505-207-4401 today to schedule a free initial consultation.