Albuquerque Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Riding a bicycle is good for your health while also being beneficial to the environment. That’s why so many states, including New Mexico, have established laws to protect cyclist riding on streets also shared by passenger vehicles. Despite these laws, many cyclists find themselves the victims of accidents that could have been prevented. And in many cases, these bicycle accidents occur because of the carelessness of motorists.

Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero devotes our legal practice to protecting the rights of others. We understand that cyclists are vulnerable on the road, which is why it’s crucial for motorists to pay attention and follow traffic rules. When drivers fail in their duties, devastating injuries, and even loss of life, are a real possibility to cyclists on the road.

If you or someone you love was involved in a bike accident in Albuquerque or the surrounding areas, contact our team today to learn more about your legal rights during a free, no-obligation consultation. Our bilingual staff provides legal services in both English and Spanish, and we do not collect any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.

You can reach us online or by phone at (505) 806-1780. 

New Mexico Bicycle Laws

Cyclists in this state are subject to the same rights and obligations as all other vehicles on the road. In addition to following applicable traffic laws, cyclists must ensure their bicycles are equipped with the right gear and accessories.

When it comes to nighttime riding, bicycles must have a front lamp, which must be visible at a distance of at least 500 feet, and a rear red reflector, which must be visible at distances ranging from 50 to 300 feet. All bicycles on the road must also be equipped with a bell or other signaling device and must have working brakes.

Driver Obligations When Sharing the Road with Cyclists

Even when conducting themselves in a safe, secure manner, cyclists could still be at risk of serious injury or death when motorists fail to drive safely. In fact, many bicycle accidents are the result of motorist negligence. 

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico include: 

• Failure to Keep Proper Distance: Drivers of passenger vehicles have been known to overtake bicycles aggressively or fail to check their blind spots when changing lanes. They may pass or follow cyclists too closely, putting them at risk. 
• Turning Left Across a Bicyclist’s Path: Motorists often make unsafe lefthand turns, cutting across that path of oncoming cyclists or turning too closely when cyclists are lawfully sharing the road. This can lead to devastating collisions, catastrophic injuries, and fatalities. 
• Unsafe Right Turns: Right turns can also be problematic, as cyclists are encouraged to stay as close to the right side of the road when traveling with other vehicles. If a driver fails to notice a cyclist going straight when making a right turn, a serious injury is likely to occur.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is another issue that can cause harm to bicyclists. The less attention paid when driving, the greater the chance of an accident. And unlike a minor collision with another vehicle, which might only involve minimal property damage, colliding with a cyclist can cause life-threatening injuries, including death.
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or using impairing drugs put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. Sadly, many bicycle accidents involve drunk or otherwise impaired drivers, and these collisions tend to be among the most severe. 
• Traffic Violations: When motorists violate traffic laws—such as running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield the right of way, or speeding—they can cause severe, even life-threatening damage. Bicyclists are relatively unprotected and tend to suffer the brunt of this damage in crashes with cars and other motor vehicles. 

Sometimes, bicycle accidents happen not because of motorist negligence but due to outlying factors, such as inclement weather, dangerous road conditions, defective equipment and safety gear, or even fellow cyclist negligence. At Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, our Albuquerque bicycle accident attorneys know how to thoroughly investigate claims to determine exactly what happened and, importantly, who was at fault.