Albuquerque is one of the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians and cyclists per capita. Central Avenue from Old Town through Downtown to Nob Hill records pedestrian fatalities almost every year. The Coors-Paseo and Wyoming-Montgomery corridors produce regular cyclist injuries. If a driver hit you while you were walking, jogging, riding a bike, or using an e-scooter in Albuquerque, you are dealing with severe injuries and a legal landscape that demands experienced representation.
I’m Alex Flores, Senior Counsel at Singleton Schreiber. Before joining the firm, I served as a Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney in Albuquerque and tried 17 federal jury trials. I left the Department of Justice to represent injured New Mexicans — including the pedestrians and cyclists who pay the heaviest price when a driver fails to look.
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Where Albuquerque Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes Happen
- Central Avenue (historic Route 66) from Old Town to Nob Hill. Heavy foot traffic, distracted-driver volume, and a high concentration of unhoused community members create conditions that produce frequent pedestrian fatalities. The ART (Albuquerque Rapid Transit) corridor has its own conflict patterns.
- Coors Boulevard, Paseo del Norte, and Montaño. Wide, fast-moving suburban arterials with insufficient pedestrian crossings. Cyclists hit on Coors are almost always seriously injured.
- San Mateo, Wyoming, Lomas, and Montgomery. Northeast Heights arterials with frequent left-turn-into-pedestrian and right-turn-on-red crashes.
- UNM / Nob Hill / Downtown. High pedestrian density, rideshare drop-off chaos, scooter and bike-share traffic. Distracted-driving crashes here are routine.
- Bike trails crossings. The Paseo del Bosque trail and Bear Canyon Arroyo trails cross several major streets — and most of those crossings have inadequate signage and signal treatment.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Injury Patterns
A pedestrian or cyclist struck by a vehicle has no protection — no seatbelts, no airbags, no crumple zone. Common injuries in Albuquerque pedestrian and bicycle cases:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), including from secondary impact with the pavement
- Spinal cord injuries, often with permanent paralysis
- Multiple fractures — pelvis, femur, tibia, ribs — frequently requiring surgical hardware
- Internal injuries from compression and impact
- Crush injuries to lower extremities, sometimes resulting in amputation
- Severe road rash and skin grafts
- PTSD and long-term psychological trauma
NM Law for Pedestrian and Bicycle Cases
Pure comparative fault. NM is one of a small number of pure comparative fault states. Even a pedestrian or cyclist found partially at fault — crossing outside a marked crosswalk, not having a bike light at night — can still recover, reduced only by the fault percentage.
Three-year statute of limitations for personal injury (NMSA § 37-1-8). Three years for wrongful death. Government-vehicle and government-property claims (city of Albuquerque, APD, county vehicles, NMDOT crews) require 90-day written notice under the NM Tort Claims Act.
Your own auto policy may cover you on foot or on a bike. Many pedestrians and cyclists hit by uninsured drivers do not realize that their own auto policy’s UM/UIM and MedPay coverage applies to them while walking or biking. NM is a stacking state, which often dramatically expands available coverage.
Why Alex Flores
I’m a NM native, a former Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney in Albuquerque, and Senior Counsel at Singleton Schreiber. I tried 17 federal jury trials and argued — and won — appeals before the Tenth Circuit. I still serve as a Judge Advocate with the New Mexico Air National Guard. See my About page, the New Mexico Pedestrian & Bicycle Accident Lawyer page, or the Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer hub.
FAQs: Albuquerque Pedestrian & Bicycle Cases
What if I wasn’t in a marked crosswalk?
You can still recover. NM’s pure comparative fault rule means the question is not “were you at fault?” but “what percentage?” Drivers have a duty to maintain a proper lookout and to exercise due care for pedestrians whether or not they are in a crosswalk.
What if the driver claims I came out of nowhere?
That is the most common defense. Scene reconstruction, sight-line analysis, and witness testimony can defeat it — drivers are legally required to see what is there to be seen.
Does my own car insurance cover me while walking or biking?
Usually yes — UM/UIM and MedPay coverage typically follow the insured person, not the insured vehicle. NM is a stacking state, so multiple policies may apply.
What if a city of Albuquerque vehicle hit me?
The NM Tort Claims Act applies and requires written notice within 90 days. Miss that deadline and the claim is barred. Call me as soon as possible.
How much does an Albuquerque pedestrian accident lawyer cost?
Contingency fee — no fee unless I recover money for you.
Free Case Review
Call (505) 587-3473 or use the contact page.