Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In New-mexico

The number of motorcycle accidents in New Mexico is well under the national average. In 2005 there were 38 fatalities in New Mexico. This number represents a little fewer than eight percent of the total number of fatalities on the roads. In 2006 that number jumped to 43 which is around nine percent of the total. Nationally, motorcycle riders represented a little over 11 percent of the accident fatalities in 2006 and these numbers have been steadily increasing every year for the past 9 years.

In 2006 4,810 people died as a result of a motorcycle accident. When you look at the structure of a motorcycle or scooter, it easy to see why so many motorcycle accidents end in injury or death. Actually, there is a 96 percent chance that a rider will be injured in a single vehicle crash and a 98 percent chance in a multi-vehicle collision. There is a 45 percent chance that the injuries sustained during the accident will be much more than serious. It is impossible to add many safety features to a motorcycle. There is no place to attach the air bags, seat belts are a really bad idea and if you tried to add a safety cage you would end up with something that looks like a giant hamster ball.

More and more people in New Mexico and elsewhere are trying to find ways to avoid the gas pump as much as possible. Two wheeled vehicles generally get much better miles per gallon than their four-wheeled cousins, so the number of riders on the road has increased. With increased motorcyclists on the road, you also get increased numbers of motorcycle accidents. As stated above, the numbers keep going up.

There are a variety of reasons for these accidents. One in four only involve the biker. A majority of these are the result of having an under trained and inexperienced rider on a motorcycle. 92 percent of the riders involved in accidents have taught themselves to ride or were taught by a family member or friend. In a lot of instances, the new rider will enter a corner going far too fast. If the tires slide out from under the bike as the driver leans around the corner, there will be damage to both the bike and the biker. Should the motorcycle’s line of travel cross oncoming traffic or lead into a barrier of some sort in the surroundings, the amount of damage and severity of the injuries are going to climb exponentially.

The other three out four motorcycle accidents involve at least one other vehicle. While there can be a lot of different circumstances and situations in these types of accidents, the majority of them occur at intersections. Since a motorcycle does not look like a giant hamster ball, they can be very hard to see. They are very slim compared to other vehicles on the road and can easily be masked from sight or not noticed if the driver is distracted. Even with a headlight on and brighter clothing being worn by the rider, bikers must always be aware of the road and other drivers around them.

Laws regarding licensing and safety gear vary from state to state. In New Mexico helmets are only required for those under eighteen years of age and eye protection is required for those who do not have a fixed windshield on their motorcycle. About 73 percent of the motorcyclists who are involved in an accident are not wearing any sort of eye protection. It is believed that wind may make the eyes water, which can impair vision and hide an obstacle from sight. It is also important to note that helmets are believed to have saved 1,658 lives in 2006 and that another 752 lives could have been saved.

The process for obtaining a motorcycle license or endorsement in New Mexico is very similar to the process for gaining a regular driver’s license. You go to the Motor Vehicle Division and apply for a permit. You must pass a vision scan and knowledge test to receive the permit. Then, when you feel you are ready, you can take and pass a road skills test on your motorcycle. Or, and this option is highly recommended, you can take a state approved rider’s course. If you take and pass the course, you may be able to waive the rider road skills test.

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