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Cyclist and Lyft Accidents in Colorado

In 2018, 857 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. As the traffic in Denver and Colorado gets worse, more people are turning to bikes as a way to commute to work, putting more cyclists at risk of an injury accident caused by negligent drivers. These negligent drivers include rideshare drivers for Lyft or Uber.

With little protection other than a bike helmet, even a low-speed accident with a cyclist can cause serious injuries. A bike accident can leave the rider with medical bills, lost income, and even permanent damage. When the cyclist tries to get compensation from Lyft or the insurance company, the rider may only be offered a small portion of their actual damages. Talking to an accident injury lawyer can make a big difference in how much money you can recover after an accident. 

If you were involved in a bike accident with a Lyft driver, talk to a lawyer about your rights. The attorneys at accidentdenver.com will investigate your case and work to get you the maximum compensation after an injury accident in Denver. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Cyclists and Vehicle Accidents in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the number of bicyclist fatalities in Colorado doubled from 10 fatalities in 2006 to 20 fatalities in 2019. In 2016, there were 479 crashes involving a bicyclist in Colorado. 

Cyclists in Colorado include regular and recreational bike riders, including: 

  • Bike commuters,
  • Weekend road cyclists,
  • Biking for exercise,
  • Bike touring,
  • Social ride groups,
  • Kids on bikes, 
  • Tourists using bike-sharing companies, and
  • Mountain bikers getting to and from trails. 

The majority of crashes between a bike and motor vehicle in Denver occurred during the evening rush hours between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays in the summer months, from May to October.

Cycling in Colorado generally requires riders to share the road with vehicles. This includes biking along roads with cars traveling at 50 miles per hour or more. There are limited bike lanes and even fewer miles of protected bike lanes in Colorado. This leaves cyclists vulnerable to accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs. 

Negligent Lyft Drivers and Common Causes of Accidents with Cyclists

Denver Public Works 2016 Bicycle Crash Analysis, found the most common crash types in Denver included: 

  1. Broadside with On-Street Bicyclist
  2. Same Direction Crash with On-Street Bicyclist
  3. Left Hook with On-Street Bicyclist
  4. Right Hook with Bicyclist Riding on the sidewalk Against Traffic
  5. Broadside Bicyclist Riding on Sidewalk Against Traffic

A Lyft driver can make any of the same mistakes as other drivers that lead to an accident with the cyclist. However, Lyft drivers may be more likely to engage in some of the dangerous driving actions that are inherent risks of being a Lyft driver. Some of the common contributing factors to these crashes were:

  • Failure to yield right of way, 
  • Disregarding a stop sign, 
  • Failure to stop at a traffic signal, 
  • Careless driving, 
  • Driving too close to a cyclist,
  • Failure to use a turn signal, 
  • Distracted driving, 
  • Failure to check side mirrors,
  • Speeding, and
  • Pulling over in front of a cyclist.  

Cyclist Accident Injuries 

Injuries can range from minor to severe or fatal. The injuries caused by an accident between a car and a cyclist can vary depending on a number of factors, including: 

  • Type of vehicle,
  • Speed,
  • Age of rider,
  • Helmet use, and
  • Type of roadway.

According to Denver Public Works, crashes involving SUVs and pickup trucks resulted in a higher rate of injury than crashes involving passenger cars. Some common bike accident injuries include: 

  • Road rash,
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI),
  • Broken bones,
  • Back injury, 
  • Neck injury, and
  • Facial trauma. 

Treating these injuries may require hospitalization or surgery. A serious bike accident can leave the victim unable to return to work for some time while dealing with expensive medical bills. Generally, the negligent party in an accident is liable for damages in an injury accident. In a car accident, the injured cyclist may seek damages from the negligent driver or the driver's insurance company. 

Lyft Driver Blames the Cyclist for the Accident

Many drivers do not like sharing the road with cyclists. After an accident, the driver may blame the crash on the cyclist, even when the driver was at fault. After an accident, you should contact the police to report the accident so they can come and investigate the crash. This may also help if the driver leaves the scene of the accident. Hit and run crashes account for more than 20 percent of bicycle crashes in Denver. 

Filing an Injury Claim Against the Lyft Driver

When a cyclist is injured in an accident caused by the Lyft driver, the insurance coverage will generally depend on the driver's Lyft activity at the time. If the Lyft driver was not active on the app, then the driver's personal insurance coverage will apply. If the Lyft driver was going to pick up a passenger or had a passenger in the vehicle, the maximum Lyft primary insurance policy is supposed to cover up to $1 million per accident. 

Instead of dealing with the driver, Lyft, and the insurance company, you can simply contact your Colorado rideshare injury accident attorney to handle your case. Your attorney will advise you of your rights, deal with the insurance company, and work to get you the maximum compensation available. 

Fatal Bike Accident with a Lyft Driver

After a fatal bike accident, the family has to deal with the loss of a loved one. It can be even more difficult knowing the accident was preventable and the driver was using a rideshare app instead of watching the road. In Colorado, families can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver for damages caused by the death of the individual.

Denver Lyft Driver Accident Lawyers

The attorneys at accidentdenver.com have successfully represented cyclists, pedestrians, and their families after a bike accident involving a Lyft driver. Our experienced attorneys understand how the insurance and rideshare companies operate and will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation

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