New Mexico’s mountain highways are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Roads like I-25 through Glorieta Pass, Highway 518 between Las Vegas and Taos, Highway 64 near Cimarron and Eagle Nest, Highway 434 through Mora and Angel Fire, and the winding roads near Pecos can quickly become hazardous because of sharp curves, steep grades, changing weather, wildlife, distracted drivers, and limited room to avoid a crash
When a serious injury happens on one of these mountain roads, the aftermath can be overwhelming: medical treatment, vehicle damage, missed work, insurance calls, and uncertainty about what to do next. An experienced New Mexico mountain highway injury attorney can help protect your rights, investigate what happened, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
State law requires motorists to drive in the right lane on mountain and canyon highways as part of their due diligence to drive safely. Otherwise, they could cause an accident resulting in severe injuries and face misdemeanor charges. If you were injured by a negligent driver on a New Mexico mountain highway, you are eligible to receive compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A car accident injury team, like Grano Law Offices, P.C., will help you recover a fair award while negotiating for every dollar owed under law. At a minimum, getting free legal advice may offer you the peace of mind you deserve in knowing that your rights remain intact throughout the claims or civil process.
In This Article
Car accident injury lawyer Marc A. Grano explains the law surrounding maneuvers on mountain passes in New Mexico, common types of negligence-related mountain accidents, and what you can do to protect your legal rights. Grano Law Offices, P.C. wrote this post to help people and their loved ones find answers after a life-changing personal injury.
Table of Contents
New Mexico Law Determines Driving Rules on Mountain Highways
Our beautiful mountain passes and canyons are a wondrous sight for many residents and out-of-state visitors alike. However, they are dangerous to drive for inexperienced and unaware drivers. State law addresses this oversight by making the rules very specific and clear to avoid confusion about how to protect your case against them.
Here is the rule that drivers must follow when navigating mountain highways in New Mexico per NMSA § 66-7-359:
“The driver of a motor vehicle traveling through defiles or canyons or on mountain highways shall hold the motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand edge of the highway as reasonably possible.”
In short, the law requires you to stay in the right-hand lane as much as possible, except when passing other vehicles on the right. Drivers must also maintain control of their vehicles, including staying aware of weather conditions, such as icy roads. Otherwise, they could face a criminal misdemeanor penalty in addition to a civil insurance claim.
Common Types of Negligence-Related Mountain Highway Accidents in New Mexico
Now that you understand the rule for driving on mountain highways and passes in New Mexico, it is important to note that ignoring the rule can manifest in several ways. If you were injured negligently on a mountain highway, the other driver’s negligence almost certainly played a role. ‘Acts of God’ are rare and challenging for the other driver to defend. As such, it is critical to recognize that your accident injuries were most likely caused by the other driver’s actions–or inactions.
Common types of negligence-related mountain highway accidents in New Mexico include:
- Poor road design or maintenance
- Livestock on the road
- Rockslides on the road
- Poor weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Passing on the left
- Reckless driving
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Other causes
The above-referenced list can be summarized in a few words: acts of negligence. If you suffered injuries for any of these reasons, speak with a car accident injury lawyer, such as Marc A. Grano at Grano Law Offices, P.C. He will take the time to review the particulars of your claim and investigate further to hold negligent drivers accountable under the law.
How a New Mexico Mountain Highway Accident Injury Lawyer Helps
No one should have to face the insurance adjuster, the company, and AI algorithms alone when negotiating a fair settlement. Insurers have institutional knowledge built over decades, giving them an unfair advantage if they engage in deceptive settlement practices. Legal representation ensures that they do not get away with these tactics and holds them financially liable for the terms of their policy under the law.
Our car accident injury attorney helps people through the claims or court process by:
- Fully investigate the cause of the accident
- Fight Insurance company tactics
- Level the playing field
- Deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Determine fault and liability
- Preserving evidence
- Maintaining your accident injury records
- Working with your experts
- Filing a civil suit if necessary
- Providing ongoing legal advice and counsel
- Fight for maximum car accident injury compensation
If you decide that hiring Grano Law Offices, P.C. is right for your case, we will represent the matter on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not get paid until you win. Otherwise, you owe us nothing for our time, resources, and knowledge. This arrangement ensures that you have as much financial flexibility as possible while recovering from car accident injuries. It is another level of support provided by state law and attorney conduct codes, and it aligns with our firm’s principles and beliefs.
Get Personalized Legal Advice During a Free Case Strategy Session
Do you want personalized legal advice about handling an injury claim caused by negligence on a mountain highway or canyon? If so, the legal team at Grano Law Offices, P.C. is ready to help you get the answers you want and deserve. Schedule a Free Case Strategy Session to learn more about your legal options at (505) 426-8711 or message us below. Remote and in-person visits are available depending upon your physical ability to travel.
