A lot of cyclists live in fear of “dooring” accidents. Dooring accidents occur when someone inside a parked car opens their door straight into the path of an oncoming cyclist. They’re particularly common on narrow urban roads, where cyclists are often forced to ride in a narrow gap between traffic and parked cars, but they can even happen when cyclists are given dedicated spaces on roads.
A dooring accident can lead to serious injuries and property damage. It can help to understand how dooring accidents happen and what cyclists can do about their injuries. Here is what you should know:
Common causes of dooring accidents
Most dooring accidents happen because a driver or passenger fails to check for oncoming cyclists before opening a vehicle door into traffic. Here are some common factors that can increase the risk of collisions:
- Distractions: Drivers and passengers may be distracted by a phone or occupant when opening a car door and fail to check for cyclists.
- Limited visibility: Vehicles may be parked in places with poor lighting and obstructed sightlines, which can make it harder to see cyclists.
- Narrow bike lanes: Cyclists may have very narrow bike lanes that make it harder to navigate around parked vehicles.
- Parking issues: Vehicles may be parked on bike lanes, making it harder for cyclists to navigate the road.
Dooring can lead to serious injuries because cyclists have little physical protection in an accident. When a cyclist strikes a car door, they may be thrown off of their bike and hit the pavement or vehicle. As a result, they can suffer broken bones, cuts, facial injuries, dental damage, head trauma and spine trauma.
Professional legal guidance can help cyclists recover compensation for their injuries, medical bills and losses after a dooring accident. When a cyclist is injured, it’s important to explore all of the possibilities for financial and physical recovery.