Glendale is a small community right along Cherry Creek, south of downtown Denver. The city is small but growing, and offers residents some benefits that they do not get if they were living in the larger and surrounding city of Denver. This includes proximity to the city with walkable shopping and dining options, along with good schools and great parks. The Cherry Creek Trail that cuts through Glendale provides additional recreational activities.
Glendale is one of the few areas of central Colorado that people can live and work without having a car. There are still times when even the most adventurous walkers and cyclists still need to use a car. For those who only need a vehicle for a short trip, Lyft and Uber can provide a convenient option.
Rideshares are convenient but they can still be involved in motor vehicle accidents, just like any other vehicle. Motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it is important for any urban dweller to know what they should do after a car accident, even if they were injured as a pedestrian, cyclist, or ride-hailing passenger.
First Things to Do After a Car Accident in Glendale?
After any accident, safety should be your primary concern. This includes making sure you are okay, your family is okay, those around you are not injured, and anyone else involved in the accident who is injured gets medical care. Here is a simple checklist of the things to consider after an accident in Colorado:
- Evaluate anyone involved for injuries.
- Call 9-1-1 if anyone is injured.
- If you are in harm's way, move to safety.
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Exchange information from the other parties involved in the crash if the police do not respond.
- Take photos, videos, and record what happened in the accident.
- Report the accident to the DMV.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Contact your Glendale accident attorney.
Emergency Medical Care After a Rideshare Accident in Glendale
Many people involved in an accident don't think they need medical attention. However, it is important to be on alert after an accident to look for signs of a more serious injury. For example, head, neck, and back injuries can be tricky and not show signs or symptoms until hours or even days later. If there is any risk of an injury, get checked out by a doctor. Early treatment can make a big difference in recovery.
There are a number of emergency rooms and urgent care facilities in and around the Glendale area, including:
- Rose Medical Emergency Room
- Porter Adventist Hospital Emergency Room
- Swedish Medical Center Emergency Room
- Denver Health Emergency Department
- Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children ER
- AFC Urgent Care Cherry Creek
- AFC Urgent Care Leetsdale
Dangerous Driving in Glendale
According to an article in Westword, one of the most dangerous intersections in Denver is at the northwestern edge of Glendale, at South Colorado Boulevard at East Alameda Avenue. From 2018 to 2019, the intersection had a total of 36 accidents, making it the 8th most dangerous intersection in all of Denver.
Dangerous intersections are not just a problem for drivers, it can also be a problem for pedestrians trying to cross the street or cyclists sharing the road. Traffic is getting worse in the Denver-metro area, including Glendale. With more drivers spending more time on the road, road rage and speeding become more of a problem. Along with sitting in traffic, more drivers are also distracted by their phones, increasing the risk of an accident.
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft drivers may be just as likely, if not more likely, to engage in these dangerous driving habits. Some of the common causes of rideshare accidents include:
- Deadheading (added miles driving to and from pick ups)
- Distracted driving
- Inexperienced rideshare drivers
- Drowsy driving
- Traffic violations
- Speeding
Bike Accidents in Glendale and Off the Cherry Creek Trail
The Cherry Creek Trail extends 40-miles along the creek and is a popular bike trail for Denverites. Much of the trail is below street level, running parallel along Speer Boulevard. The sunken trail makes it safer for cyclists to avoid the danger of crossing roadways with drivers but cyclists still have to get to and from the trail, which usually involves riding in traffic.
If a Lyft driver or Uber driver is busy looking at the map on their phone to find the drop-off point for a passenger, the driver may not notice a cyclist sharing the road. When cyclists and vehicles collide, the cyclists almost always lose. A helmet is the only real safety device cyclists may have, while drivers enjoy the protection of seat belts, airbags, and crumple zones.
Reporting a Rideshare Accident to Law Enforcement in Glendale
Accidents have to be reported, even if no one is injured. Colorado law requires drivers to report any accident involving an injury, death, or property damage. Even if the police don't show up to investigate the accident, drivers should file a report online with the Colorado DMV.
In a serious accident involving an injury, death, disabled vehicle, or suspected drunk driver, the police will generally show up to do an investigation. Law enforcement agencies in and around Glendale that may respond to an accident include:
- Glendale Police Department
- Arapahoe County Sheriff - 4 Square Mile Substation in Littleton
- Colorado State Patrol
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Drivers are also required to report any accident to their auto insurance company. However, after reporting an accident, make sure you know who is calling you back to talk about the accident. The other driver's insurance company may try and contact you and get you to say something that will hurt your case. The simplest way to deal with the insurance companies after an accident is to refer them to your lawyer.
Injured After a Lyft or Uber Ride in Glendale?
If you were involved in a car accident as a Lyft or Uber rider, passenger, or someone in another car, you need to take action to protect yourself and get compensation for your injuries. If you were injured in a Lyft or Uber accident in Glendale, contact accidentdenver.com. Our experienced Colorado auto accident attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.