One man was killed in a pedestrian vs vehicle collision in NE Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Wednesday, April 10th.
Just after 3 pm on Wednesday, an adult male was struck by a vehicle near the cross streets Louisiana Boulevard and Central Avenue NE. According to officials, the man died on the scene due to the injuries sustained in the collision.
Police say the man stumbled off of the curb into traffic when a white Buick SUV that was traveling north hit him. On-scene evidence reveals that the driver was not speeding and would not have been able to stop in time to avoid the collision. Police do not believe the driver was impaired at the time of the incident.
What Causes Accidents on the Road in Albuquerque
Albuquerque roads are among some of the most dangerous in the country. According to a US News report, Albuquerque has the highest fatality rate for drivers. Data collected by Safe Roads USA found that in 2021 there were nearly 14,000 traffic accidents in Albuquerque, 243 of which were pedestrian accidents. This report also found that 95 percent of pedestrian accidents in the city result in injury or death for the pedestrian(s) involved.
“Pedestrian vs vehicle accidents can be devastating, as I’ve seen many times,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney at Singleton Schreiber. “Typically, drivers are found at fault for accidents involving pedestrians because of their duty to exercise reasonable caution and adhere to laws. However, in some cases, pedestrians may be found at fault if they jaywalk, are intoxicated, or suddenly dart into traffic. Regardless of who is at fault, these types of accidents usually take an emotional and financial toll on those involved and their families. It may be in their best interest to work with a pedestrian or car accident attorney, depending on their role in the accident.”
What are the most common causes of accidents in Albuquerque?
- Distracted Driving— doing things like texting, talking on the phone, eating, talking with passengers, and other things that cause you to not pay attention to the road.
- Failure to Yield the Right of Way— actions such as turning into or across traffic, running stop signs or red lights, or entering crosswalks when pedestrians or bicyclists are crossing.
- Intoxication— driving while intoxicated can impair reaction times, and reduce coordination and perception. If pedestrians are intoxicated and dart into traffic, jaywalk, or enter an area where pedestrians are not allowed (like the highway) they may cause an accident.
Safety Tips For Pedestrians in Albuquerque
Because Albuquerque is a dangerous city for pedestrians, they should exercise caution when traveling by foot around the city. Actions pedestrians can take to stay safe include:
- Use designated crosswalks – motorists are more likely to be looking for pedestrians in designated areas such as crosswalks
- Obey traffic signals – wait for your turn to cross and ensure traffic has halted before entering the crosswalk or street
- Stay alert – avoid distractions like using your phone or listening to music while walking so that you can be aware of your surroundings and react quickly if necessary
- Be predictable – follow pedestrian rules and signals, avoid darting into traffic unexpectedly
- Stay sober – walking under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause you to act unexpectedly and make poor decisions, increasing the chances of causing or being involved in an accident
If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian vs vehicle accident, contact Singleton Schreiber today by phone or email, info@singletonschreiber.com.
