Around 8:45 pm on Tuesday, June 18, Albuquerque police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash in the Nob Hill neighborhood. According to reports, the crash occurred near Monte Vista and Marquette NE.
Police said the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed heading west on Marquette. The motorcyclist then ran through the stop sign at the Monte Vista intersection where it crashed into the front passenger corner of a Toyota Corolla that was heading north on Monte Vista. The collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown from their motorcycle across the street, where they landed on the northwest curb.
The Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, Gilbert Gallegos, said that the motorcyclist was dead when officers arrived on the scene.
The APD fatal crash team is investigating the crash.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6,000 motorcyclists killed in 2022, making up 15% of all traffic fatalities in the nation.
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, and can be the fault of both other drivers and the motorcyclist. There are significant size and weight differences between motorcycles and cars, and motorcyclists lack the protection that drivers and passengers of vehicles are afforded. Because of this, motorcyclists involved in accidents with vehicles are more likely to be hurt or even die when involved in a collision.
Some common causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- Speeding: excessive speeds reduce the rider’s and driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations and increase the severity of accidents
- Driving Under the Influence: operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair your judgment and slow your reaction times, which can increase the risk of accident
- Distracted Driving: both motorcyclists and drivers can be distracted by phones, GPS, adjusting the radio, and other activities, which may lead to accidents
- Poor Weather Conditions: rain, snow, ice, and fog can reduce visibility and traction, making the road more dangerous for both riders and drivers
Safety Tips For Motorcyclists and Drivers
It is important to remember that making the road safer for motorcyclists means both riders and drivers need to work together to make conditions safer for all.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the motorcyclist who lost their life this week,” says Brian Colón, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, a New Mexico law firm, “as a personal injury attorney, I’ve represented families who have suffered due to motorcycle collisions and seen firsthand the devastating impacts a loss like this can have on family and friends. It is important they know they may have legal recourse and should reach out to a personal injury lawyer for more information.”
Safety tips for riders:
- Follow traffic laws
- Wear protective gear
- Make yourself visible
- Stay alert and avoid distractions
- Drive defensively
- Perform regular maintenance checks on your bike
- Avoid traveling in blind spots for extended periods of time
- Use your signals
Safety tips for drivers:
- Follow traffic laws
- Keep an eye out for motorcyclists
- Give motorcyclists space
- Use your turn signals
- Avoid distractions
- Be cautious at intersections
If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, call an Albuquerque motorcycle accident attorney from Singleton Schreiber today at (505) 605-2076 or contact by email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options.
