Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

Hayward's crash data tells a counterintuitive story. The city ranks near the bottom of its peer group for total crash volume — 60th out of 62 comparable California cities — meaning it has fewer crashes overall than almost every city of similar size. But for pedestrian crashes, Hayward ranks 19th out of 62. For child pedestrian crashes, it ranks 11th. Source: California Office of Traffic Safety, Crash Rankings 2023. The roads, on balance, are not particularly dangerous for drivers. For pedestrians, they are significantly more dangerous than the city's overall profile would suggest.

Attorney Michael Rehm handles personal injury cases throughout Hayward and southern Alameda County.

The City of Hayward as a Public Entity

Claims against the City of Hayward — for road defects, city vehicle crashes, sidewalk hazards, or other acts or omissions by Hayward city employees — require a written government tort claim submitted to the City of Hayward within six months of the date of injury. Government Code § 911.2. Failing to file a timely claim bars a lawsuit. Government Code § 945.4. Claims are submitted to: City of Hayward City Clerk, 777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541.

AC Transit operates bus service in Hayward as a separate public entity. LAVTA (Wheels) serves the Tri-Valley area, including connections to Hayward BART, as a third distinct transit district. Claims against AC Transit are submitted to: District Secretary, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612 (mail or delivery only). For LAVTA claims, contact LAVTA directly to obtain the current claims submission address — contact information for government entities can change, and the address should be confirmed at the time of filing. All government claims must be filed within six months of the injury under Government Code § 911.2.

Car Accidents in Hayward

Car accident claims in Hayward follow California's standard negligence framework. Civil Code § 1714. Jury Instructions CACI 400 and CACI 700 apply. Pure comparative fault under Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804 reduces but does not eliminate recovery. Damages under Civil Code § 3333, medical expenses limited to amounts paid or owed under Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541. Statute of limitations: two years from the crash date. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. City of Hayward vehicles trigger the six-month government claims deadline.

Pedestrian Accidents in Hayward

Hayward ranked 19th out of 62 comparable cities for pedestrian crashes (57 victims) and 11th for child pedestrian crashes (7 victims) in 2023 — despite ranking 60th overall for total crashes. Source: OTS 2023. The disparity indicates pedestrian-specific danger that the total crash statistics mask. Vehicle Code § 21950 requires yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Road defects on city streets that contribute to pedestrian crashes may support a Government Code § 835 claim against the City of Hayward, subject to the six-month government claims deadline.

Bicycle Accidents in Hayward

Cyclists in California have the same rights and duties as motor vehicle operators. Vehicle Code § 21200. Three-foot passing clearance required: Vehicle Code § 21760. Dooring: Vehicle Code § 22517. Hit-and-run bicycle crashes trigger uninsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code § 11580.2.

Motorcycle Accidents in Hayward

Motorcycle crashes in Hayward involve the same negligence framework as car accident claims. Left-turn violations under Vehicle Code § 21801 are the most common cause of serious motorcycle crashes. Lane splitting is legal under Vehicle Code § 21658.1. Helmet non-use may be raised as a comparative fault issue for head injuries. Future damages in serious motorcycle crash cases require life care planning and forensic economic analysis.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Hayward

I-880 runs through Hayward as one of the primary freight corridors in the East Bay. Commercial vehicles on I-880 and on local streets serving the South Bay industrial corridor operate under FMCSA regulations: 49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399. Hours-of-service, driver qualification, vehicle inspection, and cargo securement rules apply. ELD data and driver logs must be preserved immediately. Respondeat superior liability, broker liability, and shipper liability analysis apply depending on the circumstances of the crash. I-238 (Foothill Blvd) is an additional documented high-crash zone in Hayward and southern Alameda County.

Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft)

TNC driver insurance is governed by Public Utilities Code § 5433, as amended by Senate Bill 371 (effective January 1, 2026). Coverage depends on which period the driver was in at the time of the crash. Period 1 (app on, no ride accepted, and between rides): primary coverage of $50,000/$100,000/$30,000 plus a new $200,000 excess policy per occurrence added by SB 371. Periods 2 and 3 (ride accepted through ride complete): $1,000,000 primary liability coverage — unchanged by SB 371. During Period 3 specifically (passenger in vehicle), the TNC must also provide UM/UIM coverage of $60,000 per person / $300,000 per incident — reduced from $1,000,000 under prior law — when a third party such as an uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes the crash. Trip log data from the TNC establishes which period applied and must be preserved through a litigation hold notice immediately after a crash.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

Hayward DUI arrests ranked 21st out of 62 comparable cities in 2023 (173 arrests) — top 34% worst in its peer group. Source: OTS 2023. Statewide approximately 17% of California drivers carry no insurance (CDI 2024). Uninsured motorist coverage under Insurance Code § 11580.2 applies when the at-fault driver is uninsured or flees. Minimum liability limits as of January 1, 2025: $30,000/$60,000/$15,000. Vehicle Code § 16056(a)(2). Bad faith UM/UIM refusal: Gruenberg v. Aetna Insurance Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566.

Wrongful Death

Hayward wrongful death actions are brought under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Recoverable damages include lost financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other items under § 377.61. When the death results from a City of Hayward vehicle or property, the six-month government claims deadline runs from the date of death. Two-year statute of limitations from the date of death for the wrongful death action itself. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.

Premises Liability in Hayward

Private property premises liability follows Civil Code § 1714 and Rowland v. Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108. Dog bites: Civil Code § 3342 (strict liability). Pool safety: Health and Safety Code § 115920 et seq. Sidewalk falls may involve the City of Hayward under Government Code § 835 or the abutting property owner under Streets and Highways Code § 5610. Six-month government claims deadline applies to all City of Hayward property claims. CSU East Bay campus is a separate state entity with its own claims process under the California Tort Claims Act.

Catastrophic Injury

Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and serious burn injuries require life care planning, forensic economic expert testimony, and neuropsychological or physiatrist expert testimony to establish future damages with reasonable certainty. CACI 3904A. Tolling for incapacity may apply under Code of Civil Procedure § 352 when the injured person cannot pursue their claim due to cognitive impairment.

Where Hayward Cases Are Filed

Hayward personal injury cases are filed in Alameda County Superior Court, Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544 — (510) 690-2700. Civil cases are heard in Departments 502–522. Civil clerk hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in person; Friday 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The nearest BART station is Hayward (1.2 miles). Alameda County uses a Direct Calendar system (Local Rule 3.120). Form 202-19 (Civil Case Cover Sheet Addendum) is required at initial filing.

Attorney Michael Rehm handles personal injury cases throughout Hayward and southern Alameda County on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.