The Impact of New Traffic Laws on Albuquerque’s Roads

A personal injury from an unexpected accident in New Mexico may leave victims feeling helpless and confused. Adding insult to injury, victims of personal injuries often suffer severe monetary losses due to unexpected medical costs and lost wages. Thankfully, when someone else’s carelessness results in your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation via a personal injury claim. What’s more, an attorney who specializes in personal injury law can represent you if you have suffered injuries and assist you in recouping financial damages linked with such injuries.

With that being said, a few different traffic laws in the state of New Mexico and throughout Albuquerque affect the rate of crashes on our roads. First, it’s essential to be fully informed about the traffic laws of New Mexico regarding right-of-way. After all, all drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in New Mexico must take all necessary precautions to prevent vehicle accidents.

Second, it is vital to comprehend and adhere to New Mexico’s traffic laws, including the “New Mexico Left Turn Intersection Law,” in order to prevent accidents and avoid receiving a penalty. By allowing another vehicle to proceed before you, you are granting them the right of way. The right-of-way is the legal authority to cross any road. Right-of-way statutes are in place to ensure that traffic flows smoothly and to prevent collisions between cross-traffic. The law does not grant the right-of-way to any individual; however, it does specify who is required to yield or relinquish the right-of-way.

Right-of-Way Traffic Laws in New Mexico

One of the most ubiquitous traffic signs or signals, the yield sign, serves as a warning to motorists to reduce their speed and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to the other driver before traversing a yield line that has been painted on the pavement. Buy, who is entitled to the right-of-way at a stop sign? As per New Mexico Statutes Section 66-7-330, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign on New Mexico’s roads is required to halt and grant the right-of-way to vehicles that have entered the intersection or approached in a manner that poses an immediate hazard.

The majority of vehicles generally misunderstand the “Yield to the Driver on the Right” rule. When drivers appear simultaneously, this regulation governs the majority of intersections. Suppose that you and another driver are both approaching a stop sign in a cross street at the same time, and they are on your right. If that is the case, you should allow the other driver to pass first and yield the right-of-way. Moreover, traffic in all four directions is obligated to halt at a four-way intersection. New Mexico’s traffic laws mandate that the initial vehicle to reach the intersection should proceed forward. Suppose that two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at nearly the same time. In this scenario, the vehicle that arrives at the intersection last must yield the right-of-way. The motorist on the left must yield the right-of-way if both vehicles arrive at the intersection simultaneously.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in New Mexico

You are obligated to give pedestrians the right of way, regardless of whether they are crossing the roadway unlawfully. You are required to defer to any pedestrian who is walking with a white cane or guide dog, regardless of the circumstances. Plus, bicycle users are subject to the same regulations and obligations as vehicle drivers, as bikes are classified as vehicles. Bicycles should remain as close to the right side of the roadway as feasible. Bicycle operators must operate their bicycles in a manner that does not pose a public safety hazard.

Certain decisions regarding the right-of-way are based on common sense. It is important to be aware of certain traffic regulations regarding right-of-way. However, common sense is a significant factor in the majority of these decisions to yield the right-of-way:

• Yielding the right-of-way to construction vehicles, road laborers, school buses, and police or emergency vehicles is a must.
• Drivers should avoid turning into oncoming traffic when turning left at an intersection. Allow inbound traffic to pass.
• Motorists shall not pull out in front of other motorists and compel them to slow down when merging into traffic. Instead, they shall allow inbound traffic to pass.
• Drivers must be cognizant of the areas in which they travel the most frequently and possess a rudimentary understanding of other roadways or streets that are frequently traveled.
• Drivers should anticipate other drivers’ actions and acquiesce when necessary. Granting other vehicles the right of way can also prevent accidents.
• Of course, adhering to the posted speed limit is imperative to prevent traffic violations and accidents.

Violation of New Mexico’s Traffic Laws

Drivers will be required to pay $80 in fines and legal costs if they fail to yield the right-of-way in New Mexico. Three demerit points will be affixed to your driver’s license. Four demerit points will be affixed to your license if you fail to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle. New Mexico’s traffic regulations, which are intended to guarantee road safety, include these penalties. When drivers neglect to adhere to traffic regulations, accidents are inevitable. Failure to yield, making a left-hand turn, merging onto a highway or roadway without yielding to existing traffic, or running yellow or red pulsing lights are all examples of negligence.

Furthermore, New Mexico law mandates that the party at fault pay for any damages they cause, whether to people or property. Claims in this state are likewise evaluated under the state’s pure comparative negligence standard. In other words, the law allows someone who is 90% at fault in an accident to still submit a claim for compensation, but they can only earn 10% of the total settlement. When an injured individual is found to be somewhat at fault for their own accident or injury, the comparative fault rule kicks in.

Contact Will Ferguson & Associates in New Mexico

Regardless of the type of accident they’ve endured, victims face an array of frustrating, devastating consequences while dealing with the aftermath. In the event that you’ve suffered injuries and other damages at the hands of a careless party in New Mexico, you should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney as soon as you can. Contact us at Will Ferguson & Associates in New Mexico if a negligent party has left you or a loved one with injuries.

Contact our skilled accident attorneys at (505) 243-5566 to discuss your case and whether or not you have a right to financial recompense for your injuries. We will handle each step of your legal claim if we determine that you and your family are eligible for a possible settlement. Reach out to our personal injury lawyers in New Mexico as soon as you can for a free, no-risk initial consultation to discuss your case’s specifics.