The team at Cassidy Baca, P.C. wants to wish you a happy and healthy year as we celebrate years of dedication, collaboration, and community commitment. Join us in this article as we discuss safety measures you can take while travelling on New Mexico roads this summer.
by Mary Catherine L. Baca, Esq.
Meet Your Attorneys
We want all New Mexico drivers to stay safe and happy this year, and we hope the information we provide here helps you avoid potential accidents on New Mexico roads.
Driving & Dust Storms
Why is This Important?
Despite the increased rain we have received in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe regions over the past few years, dust storms continue to plague certain sections of I-25. Just north of Algodones, and about 30-minutes south of Santa Fe, several collisions have taken place due to low visibility caused by dust storms tearing across the land.
These dust storms echo the devastation endured during the American Dust Bowl of the 1930’s which wreaked havoc on famers and cities alike. Today, modern dust bowls endanger the lives of all drivers who must pass through them.
If you can avoid the dust storm by finding an alternate route, we suggest taking a different road, if possible. If you find yourself caught in a dust storm, it is imperative that you continue driving safely, and avoid stopping your vehicle in the middle of the road. If you must stop, safely exit the roadway as quickly as possible, and remain inside your vehicle at all times. Simply avoiding the dust storm is always the best protocol, and could save lives.
Unfortunately, until the cause of the dust storms in the stretch of I-25 north of Algodones is addressed, these dust storms will continue to threaten the lives and safety of all drivers who dare drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Key Takeaways
- Check the local weather before driving between Albuquerque and Santa Fe – high winds are likely to cause dust storms north of Algodones on I-25. Choose an alternative route, or avoid travelling altogether. Maybe even ride the New Mexico Rail Runner, if you have the time and ability.
- Do not drive on I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe if you know a dust storm is occurring. Your life may depend on it.
- Find alternate routes between Albuquerque and Santa Fe – New Mexico Highway 14 is located east of the Sandia Mountains and hosts a unique and picturesque view of the Sandia Mountains and interesting small towns along the way.
- Do not stop your vehicle in the middle of the road – if you must stop while driving, safely and quickly exit the road and stay inside your vehicle at all times. You life may depend on it.
- Expect dust storms to continue in the area north of Algodones for the foreseeable future – soil degradation in this area, likely caused by the multitude of feral domestic horses whose population has exploded over the past 40 years, allows loose soil to blow away and across the interstate freeway.
Livestock on the Road
We have all seen the typical signs indicating deer, elk, cows, and horses which may present a danger while driving. While these animals play a vital role in New Mexico’s economy, they also pose a real threat to the safety of drivers, especially at night when they are more difficult to see. When driving in rural areas at dawn and dusk, you should be extra cautious of these animals’ presence. NM Department of Transportation works diligently to identify and repair the fences which protect our roads; however, these large animals can often break through weak, old, or downed fences and threaten our lives as we attempt to travel. Use headlights to identify threats in the road, slow down in rural areas, and practice extra caution when driving in areas where reports of feral domestic horses, cows, or other livestock have been reported.
Key Takeaways
Pay Attention to Signs Warning About Horses, Cows, and Other Animals
These large animals can cause devastation in a collision. Drive safely whenever you think animals may be on the road.
If You See a Downed, Broken, or Weak Fence, Report It to the Nm Department of Transportation
the NM DOT can fix fences and make our roads safer, more quickly, if we help them identify places which need repair.
Try to Avoid Swerving
our strong instinct to swerve to avoid animals may cause a driver to move his car into oncoming traffic, drive off a cliff, or otherwise cause an accident. If you see something in the road, it is often best to slow down, and stay straight. Not all cases are the same, and you must practice safe driving techniques. Avoid driving in areas with lots of animals on the road if you feel unsafe driving.
Use Headlights at Night, Dawn, and Dusk
using your headlights at these times is required by law, and can help you identify threats in the road. Help yourself live a longer, healthier life by avoiding collisions, if at all possible.
Avoid Areas Where You Know Animals Roam on the Roads
some areas, like I-25 north of Algodones, host a multitude of feral domestic horses or cows, and those animals can pose a real threat to drivers. Try to avoid areas you know are unsafe.
Flash Flood Hazards
Many New Mexicans are well-aware of the risk flooding can pose to our homes, our families, and our vehicles. Water may be moving very fast, or it may be very deep, and you may not be able to assess these things from your car. Never exit your vehicle while on the road because you are at risk of being struck by other moving cars and trucks. When in doubt, turn around and go back in the other direction.
Do not attempt to ford a flooded road; turn around, go back, or find another way. Your life, and the lives of your passengers, depends on your sound decision-making. Do no let one bad decision forever change, or destroy, your life. Keep an eye on weather forecasts and be sure to plan alternative routes when the roads are impassable. It is better to be late, rather than to lose your life and never make it home.
Key Takeaways
Flash Flood Hazards
- Check the local weather before driving between Albuquerque and Santa Fe – high winds are likely to cause dust storms north of Algodones on I-25. Choose an alternative route, or avoid travelling altogether. Maybe even ride the New Mexico Rail Runner, if you have the time and ability.
- Do not drive on I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe if you know a dust storm is occurring. Your life may depend on it.
- Find alternate routes between Albuquerque and Santa Fe – New Mexico Highway 14 is located east of the Sandia Mountains and hosts a unique and picturesque view of the Sandia Mountains and interesting small towns along the way.
- Do not stop your vehicle in the middle of the road – if you must stop while driving, safely and quickly exit the road and stay inside your vehicle at all times. You life may depend on it.
- Expect dust storms to continue in the area north of Algodones for the foreseeable future – soil degradation in this area, likely caused by the multitude of feral domestic horses whose population has exploded over the past 40 years, allows loose soil to blow away and across the interstate freeway.
Protesters on the Road
Anytime a pedestrian walks in a roadway, there is a risk he or she will be struck by moving vehicles. Even walking in a designated crosswalk can pose a danger, so it is imperative that any pedestrian practices self-preservation and safety. When protestors walk in roadways, they endanger themselves, drivers, and passengers. If you are aware of protestors in the road, avoid driving in the area. A pedestrian who is struck by a moving vehicle has a high likelihood of serious, permanent injury, or even death. If you are thinking about protesting in any roadway, please reconsider. You can accomplish so much more while alive and healthy, rather than seriously injured or dead.
Are There Any Time Limits for Filing a Claim After an Accident?
Generally, a claim for injuries must be made before the expiration of the “statute of limitations,” otherwise the injured person will forever be barred from pursuing any claim for compensation. This time limit may vary, depending on the party who caused the injury. For example, when making a claim in New Mexico against a government entity, generally, the injured person must file a Notice of Tort Claim within 90 days of the date of the injury. An experienced attorney can quickly advise an injured person and guide her when making a claim for fair compensation for injuries.
What to Do When Insurance Companies Call
Sometimes insurance companies seek to minimize the amount of money they pay for the injuries caused by the people and businesses they insure. When you speak to an insurance company about your injuries and treatment, you may inadvertently help them deny your claim for compensation. In order to maintain your best legal case, we usually advise you to speak with an attorney before speaking with any insurance company. An attorney can help you understand what information the insurance company is permitted to request from you. Simply put, saying little-to-nothing to the insurance company, or companies, is likely in your best interest until you receive an experienced attorney’s advice.
Why Choose Cassidy Baca, P.C. After an Accident?
We hope this article helps you stay safe while travelling on New Mexico roads. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, our attorneys can help you make a claim for compensation. Time is of the essence, so contact us right away, and we will help guide you through all of your legal options.
Need help paying for medical treatment? Read our article here about how we can help you cover treatment costs now.
Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Are Ready to Answer Your Questions
Contact us today for more information, and you will receive a free consultation, and possibly an opportunity to work with New Mexico’s premier pedestrian injury attorneys.
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Speak with an Experienced Severe Injury Lawyer in Albuquerque Right Away.
If you have been severely injured in an auto accident, car crash, or truck collision in Sandoval County, contact our Albuquerque Injury attorneys for a free case evaluation today.