Tragic car accidents happen every day in New Mexico, and the ones that involve motorcycles have the potential for being the worst. In car accidents where a motorcyclist collides with another vehicle, the biker is at an extreme disadvantage. Not only are bikers more difficult to see than car drivers, but they are unprotected and can easily suffer extreme injury or death when involved in an accident.
Recently, a crash that took place along U.S. Highway 285 resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. The motorcycle rider was traveling toward Roswell, New Mexico at about 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, when the accident occurred. Allegedly, he crashed into the back end of a late-model Ford truck that had slowed down to make a turn. The accident caused him to be thrown from the bike and he landed in the roadway.
Police have not determined whether alcohol played a role in this fatal accident. Police allege that excessive speed and driver inattention were likely the cause of the crash. Also, when one driver collides with the back of another vehicle, typically fault is ascribed to the driver who hit the car from behind.
Although police have faulted the motorcyclist in this incident, all the details surrounding the event must be examined before determining what actually happened. For example, we do not know if the driver of the late-model Ford slowed down quickly or gradually to make the turn. Also, we do not know if all of the turn signal lights and brake lights were functioning properly on this old model Ford. These and other facts will be important to consider while determining the strength and viability of a potential wrongful death claim in New Mexico car accidents like this one.
Source: currentargus.com, Fatal crash on Roswell highway leaves one man dead, Jessica Onsurez, Nov. 8, 2013