Bicycle Accident Claims in New Mexico
Bicycle rules in New Mexico (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for the bicycle equipment and operation rules and the rule for bicycles at stop-sign intersections (drivers other than bicyclists must stop before the crosswalk or stop line at a stop sign). NMSA 1978, §§ 66-3-702, 66-3-705, 66-7-345, 66-7-310
| Bicycle laws | A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for the bicycle equipment and operation rules and the rule for bicycles at stop-sign intersections (drivers other than bicyclists must stop before the crosswalk or stop line at a stop sign). Cyclists must ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, may not ride more than two abreast except on bike paths, and may not ride in a way that creates a public safety hazard. Drivers passing any vehicle must pass at a safe distance; the sections read set no specific number of feet for passing a bicycle. Read on NMOneSource (New Mexico Compilation Commission official site), NMSA 1978 unannotated, chapter document; the URL is the chapter page. Bicycle helmet and sidewalk-riding rules were not found in the sections read. |
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| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | New Mexico uses comparative fault. By statute, in cases where comparative fault applies, liability is generally several: each defendant pays only the share of damages equal to its percentage of the total fault attributed to all persons, including plaintiffs and non-parties, with joint and several liability kept for intentional wrongdoers, vicarious liability, strict product liability and certain other situations. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: NMSA 1978, § 41-3A-1 |
| Minimum car insurance | No owner may allow, and no person may drive, an uninsured vehicle on New Mexico streets or highways. Required evidence of financial responsibility is at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage (or a $60,000 bond or cash deposit). Mandatory insurance: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18569/index.do Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: NMSA 1978, §§ 66-5-205, 66-5-208 |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Three years for an action for an injury to the person. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: NMSA 1978, § 37-1-8 |
More New Mexico personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in New Mexico
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in New Mexico
- Medical Malpractice Rules in New Mexico
- Car Accident Claims in New Mexico
- Dog Bite Liability in New Mexico
- Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries in New Mexico
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in New Mexico
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in New Mexico
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in New Mexico
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in New Mexico
- Truck Accident Claims in New Mexico
- Construction Site Injuries in New Mexico
- All New Mexico personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in New Mexico?
A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for the bicycle equipment and operation rules and the rule for bicycles at stop-sign intersections (drivers other than bicyclists must stop before the crosswalk or stop line at a stop sign). Cyclists must ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, may not ride more than two abreast except on bike paths, and may not ride in a way that creates a public safety hazard. Drivers passing any vehicle must pass at a safe distance; the sections read set no specific number of feet for passing a bicycle.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses comparative fault. By statute, in cases where comparative fault applies, liability is generally several: each defendant pays only the share of damages equal to its percentage of the total fault attributed to all persons, including plaintiffs and non-parties, with joint and several liability kept for intentional wrongdoers, vicarious liability, strict product liability and certain other situations.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New Mexico?
No owner may allow, and no person may drive, an uninsured vehicle on New Mexico streets or highways. Required evidence of financial responsibility is at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage (or a $60,000 bond or cash deposit).
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in New Mexico?
Three years for an action for an injury to the person.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.