Auto Accidents in Texas and New Mexico Serve as a Reminder to Stay Safe Around the Holidays
On November 15, 2018, a woman waiting for a tow truck along the side of Interstate 10 in Las Cruces, New Mexico lost her life when a Dodge pickup truck crashed into her vehicle.
The victim was waiting inside of her Ford when the crash took place. According to police, she was transported to the Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus in El Paso, Texas, where she was later pronounced dead. There were other occupants in the Ford vehicle who were also transported to the hospital, though their injuries are currently unknown to the police.
In a different incident, two drivers were recently involved in an El Paso, Texas car crash that resulted in critical injuries to two Franklin High School students. Both of the drivers were charged with DWI, and one of them pleaded not guilty to the charge in court.
Both of these horrific and saddening incidents serve as a reminder that car accidents happen everywhere – especially during the holiday season.
The time that spans Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and more is dubbed the most wonderful of the year. This, however, doesn’t mean that tragedy cannot strike. These types of unfortunate accidents involving motor vehicles can and do still occur, especially if drivers are distracted. If it can happen to someone else, it can happen to you, too, so do yourself a favor and stay extra vigilant on the roads this holiday season.
Some of the things you can do to better protect yourself when operating a motor vehicle include:
- Driving defensively. Oftentimes, car accidents can be avoided entirely if one of the parties involved is paying close attention to his or her surroundings. If you see a dangerous situation brewing on the highway, be sure to keep your vehicle at a wary distance and be ready to take evasive action. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, pay close attention to oncoming traffic and be prepared to jump out of harm’s way if a dangerous situation arises.
- Stick to the speed limit. The holidays cause people to rush – rush to buy presents, to get to family get-togethers, etc. But the roads can be especially slick this time of year; leaves are still falling, the weather is turning, and roads are more slippery than ever. By sticking to the legal speed limit, you will reduce your chances of hydroplaning and consequently causing an unnecessary crash.
- Wear a seatbelt. It cannot be overstated. By wearing a seatbelt, drivers reduce their risk of death by 45 percent and their risk of serious injury by 50 percent. It’s also the law.
- Keep your phone in your pocket. Playing with your phone while driving is one of the most common forms of distracted driving, and distracted driving accounts for almost a quarter of all accident fatalities. Whether you’re guilty of talking to a loved one, texting a friend while driving, or changing the song, it isn’t worth your life.
Accidents are part of life, and not just on the road. People make mistakes. But there is a difference between preventable car accidents and reckless car accidents. By being extra cautious on the road this holiday season, you can help prevent reckless accidents that cause unnecessary injuries and deaths to innocents nation-wide.
For more information on how we can help if you’ve been involved in a car accident, please call Lovett Law Firm, personal injury and accident lawyer in El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM today at 915-757-9999 (El Paso, Texas) or 575-523-5555 (Las Cruces, New Mexico) to request a free initial consultation with our experienced accident attorney.