Proving the facts in a car accident lawsuit can be the deciding factor in a client gaining the right amount of compensation for their injuries. Studying the facts and statistics on car accidents that have recently taken place in New Mexico can shed some light on why wrecks have become so common. Here are five surprising statistics of New Mexico car accidents.

New Mexico drivers are among the worst in the United States

Due to New Mexico’s high numbers of drunk driving arrests, many car insurance companies have concluded that the state’s drivers are among the worst in the country. Statistics provided by The National Traffic Safety Administration offer a recent ranking of New Mexico in comparison to other states. The state is ranked 3rd in the category of careless drivers and 28th for car accident fatalities based on 2015 data. Personal injury attorneys will use these numbers to help their clients get more compensation and justice for injuries caused by another driver’s negligence.

New Mexico’s drunk driving problem

Most of the statistics provided by state government agencies have focused on New Mexico’s drunk driving outbreak. This has become a major safety issue for all on the road. A recent study by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that New Mexico’s drinking problem is unparalleled when compared to other states.

The concerns are real, especially on the state’s death-per-capita ratio, which has a direct correlation to alcohol-related car accidents. New Mexico has lost 51.2% per 100,000 residents in alcohol related car accidents, and that ratio far outpaces other states. Alaska is a distant second at 41.1 percent. The final numbers translate to a high ratio of drinking and driving car accidents that averages to 1,000 crashes-per-month. The end results are often serious, with multiple injuries and loss of life to the victims.

New Mexico’s most common month for car accidents is December

A recent New Mexico Department of Transportation report revealed a trend that is directly related to car accidents and what time of the year they take place. December is the main candidate for most automobile crashes, as close to 4,000 accidents take place in the month each year. Some of the factors that support this argument include increased holiday traffic and inclement weather that makes driving conditions dangerous. All of the evidence provided confirms that December is the riskiest month to be behind the wheel for all New Mexico residents.

Driver inattention also causes many car accidents

Given New Mexico’s alcohol issues, many experts believe drinking and driving is the leading factor of the state’s car accident dilemma. Still, human error or driver inattention contributes heavily to all automobile crashes that occur. One-third of all car accidents that happen each year have been a result of human error. The second leading cause is failure to yield the right of way on the road. In 2015, this issue caused 6,602 car accidents.

Young drivers are the most likely to be involved in car accidents

The data provided confirms that New Mexico’s young drivers between the ages of 20 and 24 are the most likely to be involved in a car accident. They don’t have experience behind the wheel, which makes them more vulnerable to making mistakes. Plus, the reality of being easily distracted while driving compounds their situation. Over 10,000 of all automobile accidents that occur in New Mexico have at least one of the victims fall under this age group. Drivers in the age group of 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 also have a high accident rate. These numbers significantly decline with drivers over the age of 35 years old.

On the whole, all of these statistics provide tremendous insight into troubling issues that plague the state of New Mexico. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can evaluate the facts of your case and help you get the money you deserve for your suffering.

Hire a trusted commercial truck accident lawyer for your case

If you have been in a car accident in New Mexico, Texas, or Oklahoma, contact Attorney Dean Boyd. Even if you are not located in Texas, Dean Boyd and his team have the experience and knowledge to fight for your rights. We have won jury verdicts for our clients as high as 8.9 million dollars, obtained multi-million dollars settlements, and received awards including the Texas Lawyer Top Verdicts and Settlements.

Contact us today for more information about how we can help with your car accident lawsuit. You can call us at (806) 242-3333 or Contact Us via email to learn more about our Car Accident services and other areas of Practice. You can also visit our offices at 4423 SW 45th Ave Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.