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Lyft Pedestrian Accidents in Colorado

The use of rideshare companies like Lyft has quickly grown in popularity in Colorado. Using the Lyft app, a customer can arrange for a ride anywhere without the need for a car. In most cases, this costs less than a traditional taxi. For all the benefits that come with using Lyft, there are important downsides to consider. These downsides not only impact passengers and other drivers but pedestrians as well.

Like any motorist, Lyft drivers have the potential to cause a collision with a pedestrian in or near the roadway. When these collisions occur, the resulting injuries can be devastating. If you have suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident with a Lyft driver, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Let the team at accidentdenver.com evaluate your claim and assist you with pursuing damages against the responsible driver or the rideshare company itself.

Understanding Lyft Pedestrian Accidents

The factors that go into a pedestrian accident are similar to most vehicle collisions involving a Lyft driver. Just like any other motorist, Lyft drivers make mistakes and are susceptible to distraction. These accidents can happen anywhere, from intersections to sidewalks. Any roadway that has pedestrians crossing or walking nearby could be the location for a collision.

The vast majority of these accidents occur due to the careless or reckless actions of the Lyft driver. Some examples could include:

  • Aggressive driving
  • Speeding
  • Running a red light
  • Running a stop sign
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Lane change violations
  • Driving the wrong way down a one-way street
  • Driving with the headlights off
  • Following too closely
  • Driving to fast for the conditions

Lyft driver negligence is not the only factor that could cause a pedestrian accident. In some cases, the pedestrian themselves could be partially at fault. However, the law generally requires motorists to take steps to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Since most of these accidents occur in crosswalks and intersections, more likely than not the driver is at fault.

There are other unusual factors that can cause these crashes as well. Extreme weather, defective vehicle parts, and poor road conditions could all come into play when a Lyft driver is negligent. Your attorney can assist you with seeking compensation from all of the parties at fault in your pedestrian accident.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Despite the notable increase in crash survivability most vehicles have gained over the years, there is little technology can do to protect pedestrians. Pedestrians are exposed compared to the much larger vehicles that strike them, and there is nothing that can absorb that impact for them.

The impact of a vehicle does not have to be extreme for a pedestrian's injuries to be severe. In fact, a relatively slow-moving vehicle can cause traumatic or even life-threatening injuries to a pedestrian. Some common pedestrian injuries include:

  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding
  • Burns
  • Road rash
  • Neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Ligament damage
  • Amputation
  • Paralysis
  • Spinal injuries

In many cases, the cost of treating these injuries can be substantial. Not only are the injuries that come with a pedestrian accident costly, the recovery time can be extensive. If you have been struck by a Lyft driver, it is important that you seek the amount of compensation you need to make yourself whole. This includes damages for your past and future medical bills, among compensation. You only get one chance to resolve your claim, so settling for less than it is worth can be a costly mistake.

Statistics on Ridesharing and its Impact on Pedestrian Injuries

Over the course of the last 30 years, the number of traffic fatalities in the United States has dropped dramatically. The number of fatalities reached the lowest point in more than 60 years in 2010, based largely on the dramatic safety improvements made in modern vehicles.

That said, the drop has not been linear. In fact, the low point during that 30-year period was in 2010. Since then, these numbers have been slowly increasing again. This trend is true for both vehicle and pedestrian collisions. According to figures compiled by the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrian fatalities in 2018 marked a nearly 30-year high. In the previous decade, pedestrian deaths increased by a staggering 35 percent.

There is no question that traffic and pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise for some time. While it is worth noting that this increase began approximately the same time that ridesharing began, the numbers alone do not prove the rideshare industry played any role in this increase. To determine whether or not companies like Lyft played a role in the increase in pedestrian deaths, researches from Rice University and University of Chicago School of Business researched the link between the two in 2018.

Study Investigates the Correlation between Ridesharing and Pedestrian Fatalities

The 2018 study of whether the ridesharing phenomenon had any impact on the increasing rate of traffic fatalities is known as The Cost of Convenience. Published in May of 2018, this study carefully reviews the rate of traffic fatalities in large metropolitan areas. The researchers looked at the trends based on when ridesharing became available in a particular city. Through this research, they concluded that the increasing popularity of ridesharing has had a small but significant impact on the rate of pedestrian fatalities nationwide.

According to the research, this increase in fatalities is anywhere between two and four percent. Researchers determined the increase occurred across all days and times. They also concluded that the availability of ridesharing increased the number of registered vehicles in a city, as some individuals began driving specifically to take advantage of driving for Lyft. With more cars on the road, more accidents were also a reality.

How a Denver Lyft Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

If you were struck by a Lyft driver while on foot, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. To learn how seasoned legal professionals could increase your chances of a fair financial recovery, contact accidentdenver.com online or call 303-642-8888 for a free consultation.

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