When you think about common causes of Hobbs, NM car accidents, you’d probably put speeding at the top of the list. Statistics compiled by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) support this. In its 2018 Annual Crash Report, NMDOT reveals that speed is a top or contributing factor in approximately 15% of all vehicle collisions.
The problem hits pretty close to home for motorists in Lea County, where a stretch of New Mexico Highway 128 has drawn undesirable attention because of speeding. Authorities estimate that around 4,000 of the 6,000 vehicles that pass through are speeding, some up at a rate up to 100 mph.
Speed is a concerning issue because it increases crash severity, resulting in more catastrophic injuries and a higher number of fatalities. The consequences for injury victims and their families can be devastating, but you may get some comfort from knowing that it’s possible to recover compensation for your losses.
At Kemmy Law Firm, our family of skilled personal injury attorneys is prepared to pursue all your legal options, so please contact us to learn how we can help. We’re happy to set up a free consultation with a Hobbs, NM car accident lawyer who can explain your rights.
Statistics on NM Speeding Accidents
One of the best ways to comprehend the effect of speeding in deadly and injury-causing auto accidents is to look at the numbers. Additional figures from NMDOT for 2018 indicate that:
- In collisions where speed was a primary factor, 25 were fatal and 817 caused injuries.
- Individuals under 30 make up about 43% of speeding drivers in collisions.
- Males outnumber female drivers by 2 to 1 in speeding accidents.
- Speed contributes to more crashes in urban areas as compared to highway accidents.
Nationwide, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that speeding was a factor in 26% of all fatal car accidents in 2017. Speed-related collisions dipped the following year, but there were still 9,378 people killed in 2018. From 2013-2017 speeding was a contributing cause in 28% of all fatal teen accidents.
Legal Options for Hobbs, NM Car Accident Victims
Speeding is against the law, so violators may receive a ticket from state law enforcement, the Lea County Sheriff’s Department, the Hobbs, NM Police Department, or other agencies. However, the fine for a traffic citation doesn’t reimburse you for your losses as the victim of a crash.
You may be able to obtain monetary damages if you were injured in a crash caused by a driver’s excessive speed. When speed was a primary or secondary cause, the point is that the other motorist was operating the vehicle negligently by not obeying the posted limit.
In such a case, your first step to recovering compensation is usually filing a claim with the other motorist’s insurance company. You may think that the process is simply filling out a few forms, but it’s more complicated than you’d expect.
Even if you have your paperwork in order, the insurance adjuster’s job is to protect the company’s bottom line. Your claim is a threat to the insurer’s financial interests, so you might receive a denial or an unreasonably low settlement offer. If the insurance company will not agree to a fair amount, you may need to file a civil lawsuit.
Whether through an insurance claim or litigation, you may be able to obtain monetary damages for:
- Your medical costs;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Diminished quality of life;
- Losses based upon how your injuries affect your personal relationships; and,
- Many others.
You may also have legal remedies if you lost a loved one in a speeding accident, through an action called a wrongful death case. The process is very similar to personal injury matters, and you could recover monetary damages as a surviving family member.
Consult with a Skilled Lawyer in Hobbs for Free
If you were hurt in an auto crash caused by speeding, time is of the essence to discuss your legal options with an experienced hobbs car accident attorney. Our team at Kemmy Law Firm can assist with the insurance claims process, but we’ll take your case to court if necessary, to get the compensation you deserve.
Please call (830) 264-6297 or visit us online to schedule a no-cost consultation today. We serve clients in Lea County and throughout South Eastern New Mexico from our offices in Hobbs.
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