New Mexico Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Although bike paths and dedicated bike routes are becoming a more commonplace throughout our country and in New Mexico, bicycle accidents are still a frequent occurrence. If you have been the victim of a traffic accident while on your bicycle, contact a New Mexico bicycle accident attorney today for a free consultation.

How Common are New Mexico Bicycle Accidents?

Unfortunately, motorists still believe that bicyclist do not have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. Worse yet, many motorists fail to even see a bicyclist when a bicyclist is on the road.

Bicycle Accidents Continue To Increase Every Year

Despite the growing trend toward the improvement of bicyclists safety, including the use of helmets, accessible trails and routes, reflective clothing and lights, bicycle v. auto collisions continue to occur, and have risen each year. There are approximately 500,000 bike accidents a year. Just like a pedestrian accident, a bicycle hit by a car can lead to serious injuries and even death.
Bicycle Riders Have The Same Rights As Cars

All Automobiles are required to “Share the Road” with Bicyclists in New Mexico

Every driver on the road is required to treat a bicyclist “as a legal, slow moving vehicle such as a backhoe” and provide the bicycle operator with the same respect as any other slow moving vehicles.

New Mexico’s Driving Manual teaches all drivers that: “Bicycle riders on the road have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars”. When these simple rules are broken, bicyclists are injured.

We know from experience that the motoring public can be biased against bicyclists. Our experience has helped us deal with the public perception of bicyclist and their rights. At The Davis Kelin Law Firm, we have successfully handled bicycle v. auto accidents in the past, and it is important to us to show that bicycling is an activity that is supported by a growing sector of the population.

Over 20 million people purchased bikes this year alone, including Ben Davis. Over the past 15 years, the number of people choosing to ride a bike to work has increased dramatically. Due to the recent effects of the green movement in the American public, we, as a society, have to become more conscious of the effects our lives have on the environment. Cyclists tend to be inherently safety-conscious and all-around good citizens, taking into consideration the effects that carbon dioxide has on our planet, and, as such, their rights should be valued just as highly as anyone else’s.

Most insurance adjusters and other motorist do not understand bicycle accidents and the rights you have as a bicyclist. With our extensive experience in personal injury litigation, we help build your best case, working backward from an anticipated trial, to working out all possible scenarios. Depending on the type of bicycle case, we assemble teams of experts to testify on your behalf regarding your injuries and the accident.

Our Team New Mexico Bicycle Accident Attorneys Will Fight For You And Your Rights

Owning a bicycle is your own personal right, know and understand your rights as a bicyclist. Call The Davis Kelin Law Firm today so that we can evaluate your personal situation and come up with the right course of action for you.

General Bike Accident Statistics

• About 85 million American adults ride a bike at least occasionally.
• Head injuries account for 60 percent of cycling fatalities.
• Properly fitted helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 74-85 percent.

In Pennsylvania, children ages 5 to 14 years old are the most at risk of death and injury from a bike accident or bike crash.
1 in 8 of the cyclists with reported injuries has a traumatic brain injury. Two-thirds of bicycle accident deaths are from traumatic brain injuries.

Bicycle crashes and injuries are under-reported because the majority of bike accident injuries are not serious enough for emergency room visits.

2009 National Bicycle Accident Statistics:

• In 2009, 630 bicyclists were killed and 51,000 were injured.
• Pedal cyclist deaths made up 2 percent of all motor vehicle traffic deaths.
• While 630 bikers did lose their lives, the number is 12 percent lower than in 2008.
• The majority of bicyclist deaths occurred in urban areas (70 percent).
• Nearly 75 percent of bikers were killed between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. Nearly 20 percent were killed between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight.
• Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent a head injury or traumatic brain injury in a bicycle crash.
• The average age of bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2009 was 41. The average age for those injured was 31.
• The large majority of people killed in 2009 in bicycle crashes were male (87 percent).
• Alcohol-impaired riding or driving was reported in more than 40 percent of the accidents that resulted in bicyclist fatalities in 2009. In a third of the crashes, either the driver or biker had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .08 or higher (the legal limit).

Get Help from a New Mexico Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you are a victim, seek relief today. Riding a bicycle and getting hit by a car is not a laughing matter. Davis Kelin Law Firm specializes in being an Albuquerque Injury Attorneys For Car Accidents. If you were hit by a car while riding a bicycle in New Mexico, we can help! Visit our contact an attorney page or give us a call to discuss your case (505) 242-7200