When you get out on the road, you give driving your full attention. When you see motor vehicle collisions or perhaps after becoming involved in your own Albuquerque car accident, though, you might second-guess whether others give driving their undivided attention as they should.
Dedicating one’s “full time and entire attention to the operation of the vehicle” is what New Mexico Statute 66-8-113 requires of any motorist traveling along our state’s roads. Anyone who violates the provisions outlined in this statute risks being held liable for reckless driving, which is an example of the negligent operation of a vehicle.
So, given how reckless driving is a type of negligence, let’s explore what this category may entail and what’s considered negligent driving as a whole.
What Qualifies as Reckless Driving Per New Mexico Law?
Reckless driving is used interchangeably with careless driving when described in New Mexico law.
Some examples of this dangerous driving behavior described in state statutes include:
- Being inattentive
- Showing little regard for corners, curves, lane width, grading of roadways, as well as road, traffic, and weather conditions
- Failing to obey traffic signs or signals or yield to the right of way of others (including pedestrians)
- Improper passing or lane changes
- Speeding
- Using a handheld device or texting while driving
- Following too closely
- Improper turns
- Incorrect cargo hauling permits
- Possession of an open container in the vehicle
- Improper use of a child restraint device or seat belt
Controlled substance violations and intoxication from alcohol or drugs also qualify as various infractions of the above-referenced reckless driving statute in New Mexico. All of the above dangerous vehicle operation choices, aside from being called careless, could easily be considered negligent driving behaviors as well.
What Else May Constitute Negligent Driving Behaviors?
While the list outlined above is fairly comprehensive, from our perspective as Albuquerque car accident attorneys, we view a few additional motorist actions as potentially negligent, such as driving while:
- Unlicensed, and thus perhaps inexperienced or unsafe, whether due to never having received a driver’s license or having it suspended or revoked
- Engaged in conversations with individuals in the vehicle, self-grooming, eating, smoking, daydreaming, or messing with the radio
- Fatigued or drowsy
- Your vehicle isn’t roadworthy (is subject to a recall or requires maintenance)
While there are assuredly more examples of driver negligence, the above examples are additional concerns that, as car accident attorneys in Albuquerque, we see often result in crashes.
These all often fit the bill of reckless driving described in the above-referenced New Mexico statute, which defines this concept as “any person who drives in any vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property.”
What To Do If Another Albuquerque Driver’s Negligence Injured You
New Mexico is an at-fault auto insurance state. Why does it matter if another motorist’s actions hurt you?
It allows you to hold that other driver accountable if you can show that their negligent actions harmed you. Proving negligence often isn’t easy to do. However, it is something an experienced car crash attorney like ours at Barrera Law Group LLC knows how to do.
Preserving evidence is critical to establishing elements of negligence to show where liability lies.
So, that’s why we urge you to speak with an attorney as soon as possible following your crash.
Doing so is free, so get in touch with us now.