In 2016, Lakewood won an All-American City Award from Livability. With good schools, parks, and access to the Rocky Mountains, Lakewood is an attractive place to live within commuting distance to Denver. Located just west of the capital, Lakewood is the 5th largest city in Colorado by population. As anyone who lives in Lakewood knows, the area is continuing to grow.
With growth comes more cars on the road, traffic, and car accidents. Ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber can be an option for getting around but they may still have to deal with traffic and possible accidents. In some cases, rideshare vehicles may be more likely to get into certain types of accidents with pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and other drivers.
If you were injured in an accident while using Uber or Lyft in Lakewood, talk to a rideshare accident lawyer about your rights. The attorneys at accidentdenver.com can investigate your case and work to get you the maximum compensation after an injury accident in Lakewood, Denver, Boulder, or anywhere in Colorado. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Lakewood Lyft and Uber Rides
The Light Rail W Line provides a direct connection to Downtown Denver. While Lakewood has a lot of amenities close by and is not far from Denver, a car is still necessary for most people living in Lakewood. For those without a car or when public transportation is not available, Uber and Lyft can fill the transportation gap.
A Ride for a Night Out
There are plenty of options for dining, drinks, and entertainment in Lakewood. The 40 West Arts District hosts a First Friday Art Walk every month, with beer, wine, and live music. Brewery options include Green Mountain Beer Co., Westfax Brewing, and Great Frontier Brewing for trying out some local beers. However, many people still go a little further out to Denver for a night out. Calling an Uber or a Lyft is a good option for people who want to go out and have some drinks and get home without having to worry about an accident or a DUI.
Show at Red Rocks
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is just west of Lakewood and hosts some great events, including the Colorado Symphony, movies, and concerts. Parking can be tricky at Red Rocks for popular events. Many show-goers may want to enjoy a few drinks before or during the show or smoke some recreational marijuana. A Lyft ride or Uber allows visitors to get to the show without dealing with parking and safely transport them home without the risks of impaired driving.
Common Causes of Lyft and Uber Accidents in Lakewood
There are many causes of car accidents in Lakewood, including speeding, drinking and driving, and texting and driving. However, some types of accidents may be more common for Lyft and Uber because of the way rideshare companies operate. Distracted driving is increasingly becoming a cause of car accidents in Colorado and across the country. Fortunately, most drivers do not need to use their phones in order to drive. However, rideshare drivers have to use the rideshare app before, during, and after a fare.
The rideshare companies pretend like their drivers do everything they have to on the phone while safely stopped but anyone who has taken a Lyft or Uber has seen drivers use their phones throughout the ride, with no restrictions by the rideshare companies.
Drivers also have to map their routes, and may switch between the rideshare app and Google Maps, Waze, or other map apps. Even talking to and looking at the passengers can provide a cognitive distraction, as a task that requires the driver to avert their mental attention away from driving.
Dangers to Lakewood Pedestrians and Cyclists
Rideshare trips often involve travel around neighborhoods and city streets, with lower speed limits. A car accident involving a rideshare vehicle may only result in minor injuries to the driver and passenger. However, an accident at any speed involving a pedestrian or cyclist can be serious. A distracted rideshare driver only has to look down for a second to cause a serious accident.
The requirements for driving for a rideshare company are very basic. Just about anyone with a minimal amount of driving experience can suddenly be tasked with driving around random app users without the passengers knowing anything about the driver's background or experience. Lakewood tends to be much more suburban than cities like Denver, and there are different concerns for safe driving.
In the morning and afternoon, lots of kids are walking or biking to and from school. On the weekends, many local cyclists head towards the mountains for a challenging ride. Local residents may know about the school zones, popular cycling routes, and the speed limits. Unfortunately, some Uber and Lyft drivers are not very experienced and may not even know the traffic laws of Colorado.
Reporting a Rideshare Accident in Lakewood
Drivers involved in auto accidents have to report the accident. Even if the accident is minor and no one was injured, state law requires drivers to report the accident. For rideshare accidents, the Lyft driver or Uber driver, may have to report the accident to:
- Law enforcement,
- Their insurance company, and
- Lyft or Uber.
Drivers can file an accident report online. If anyone is injured or there is serious damage, the driver may have to call law enforcement. For a rideshare accident in and around Lakewood, the responding officers may include:
Emergency Care After a Rideshare Accident in Lakewood
If you are injured in a car accident in Lakewood, you should seek medical attention. If there is any chance of an injury, you should still see a doctor. Many car accident injuries have delayed onset of symptoms, including head and neck injuries. For emergency medical care in Lakewood, ER hospitals and urgent care may include:
Injured After a Lyft or Uber Ride in Lakewood
If you were injured in a Lyft or Uber accident in Lakewood, contact accidentdenver.com. Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.