Two people died in a two-car collision on US Highway 550 on Thursday afternoon. The collision occurred near Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Rio Rancho Police Department and Fire Rescue responded to a reported “severe motor vehicle accident” on the Northwest Loop of US 550. After investigation, police discovered the two vehicles collided as one was attempting to turn left onto the highway.
The two victims who died in the crash were both in the vehicle that was traveling on US 550 at the time of the collision. Three others involved were taken to local hospitals in stable condition.
Local law enforcement is continuing to investigate the collision.
Safe Driving Tips
“Incidents like this one highlight the fact that intersections are some of the most dangerous areas of the road,” says New Mexico Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber, Brian Colón, “this tragic accident is a somber reminder that it is important to exercise caution and fully check for oncoming traffic before executing a left turn, or entering an intersection.”
Behaviors that drivers can practice to create a safer environment on the road include:
- Obeying traffic signals and signs – adhering to posted traffic signs and signals allows other drivers on the road to trust each other and easily predict the movements of other vehicles so that they may avoid inadvertently causing an accident.
- Staying alert – avoid driving while distracted by phones, eating, or adjusting the radio.
- Driving sober – not getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Adhering to posted speed limits – driving the speed limit, especially on the highway is important to ensure safety. Driving at higher speeds can increase the severity of collisions and injuries and can greatly reduce the available reaction time a driver has to respond to changing road conditions.
- Being mindful of weather conditions – adjusting your speed and distance between cars accordingly when driving in extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, and ice. This allows drivers more time and space to react to sudden changes.
Victim’s Legal Options
Those affected by a crash, such as the one that occurred on Thursday, may have legal recourse. Options may include filing a personal injury claim for those who were injured, or a wrongful death claim for those who lost their loved ones.
Victims may be able to obtain compensation for the damages they suffered.
If you have been injured in a New Mexico car accident or tragically lost a loved one, contact the attorneys at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your options. Call us at (505) 605-2076 or email us at info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.
