Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers represents victims of dooring accidents, helping them recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
Dooring is when someone opens a motor vehicle’s door into the path of a bicyclist or motorcyclist, causing them to hit the open car door or swerve into traffic.
Dooring can lead to serious or catastrophic injuries for motorcycle or bicycle riders.
Road users can file personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for their dooring injuries since California law typically places responsibility on the person opening the door that the motorcyclist or cyclist collides with.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was injured or killed in a dooring accident.
Why Cyclists Choose Our Dooring Accident Lawyers
- Our experienced bicycle, motorcycle and car accident lawyers have been handling dooring cases since 1990.
- We get dooring accident victims who can’t afford medical treatment to doctors who don’t charge them until their cases end. We do this so all of our dooring accident clients can afford quality medical care.
- Our California dooring accident attorneys won’t charge you any fee until we win your case. This means no upfront fees, no out-of-pocket fees, and that our only fee is a percentage of any money we recover for you.
- We provide dooring incident victims with reliable communication and 24/7 availability.
- We and our legal teams have recovered more than $750,000,000 for clients.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Call us today at (800) 718-4658 for a FREE consultation.
What Is Dooring?
Dooring accidents are dangerous, often preventable traffic incidents which occur when a passenger or motorist in a stopped or parked vehicle opens their door directly into the path of an incoming cyclist, motorcyclist or scooter rider.
Victims of dooring accidents may suffer from serious injuries, including fractures and concussions, when riders hit doors or swerve into traffic.
Riders may collide with doors, be thrown over their handlebars, or swerve into vehicle traffic which is oncoming.
Dooring is particularly dangerous since it leaves cyclists with minimal time to swerve or brake.
Dooring accidents can lead to significant medical bills and lost wages for the injured cyclist.
How Dangerous Are Dooring Accidents?
Victims of dooring accidents may suffer minor to severe injuries, including fractures, concussions, or even fatalities, when they slam into doors or swerve into traffic.
The injuries in dooring accidents can be quite severe since cyclists, unlike drivers, lack the protection of a vehicle around them. Even low-speed dooring accidents can lead to severe injuries.
However, the injuries sustained in dooring crashes aren’t as likely to be incapacitating than injuries sustained in non-dooring crashes.
Common Injuries Caused by Dooring Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe bruising and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Road rash
- Nerve damage
- Death
Causes of Dooring Accidents
Dooring accidents often happen when drivers or passengers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening their vehicle doors.
The risk of dooring incidents is heightened in areas with high parking turnover, such as retail and entertainment districts.
Urban street design, including narrow bike lanes adjacent to parked cars, contributes to the prevalence of dooring accidents.
Surveys indicate that a significant percentage of drivers do not check for cyclists before opening their vehicle doors, with rates as high as 60%.
Prevention of Dooring Accidents
The Dutch Reach technique, which involves using the opposite hand to open a car door, can help prevent dooring accidents by encouraging a check over the shoulder for cyclists.
Some modern vehicles are now equipped with sensors which detect approaching cyclists, warning occupants or preventing doors from opening.
Cyclists are advised to avoid the door zone of parked vehicles by riding a minimum of 3-4 feet away from parked cars to reduce the risk of dooring accidents.
Bicyclists are encouraged to wear bright and reflective clothing to increase their visibility to motorists and reduce the risk of dooring accidents.
Dooring Laws
In many jurisdictions, the law mandates that vehicle occupants check for oncoming traffic before opening their doors.
In many areas, laws require car users to check for all approaching traffic including cyclists before opening the door of their vehicle.
Many municipalities have their own dooring ordinances, especially those municipalities that have bike lanes.
Traffic laws regarding dooring vary significantly by jurisdiction, and local attorneys will be familiar with specific city ordinances.
California Dooring Law (Vehicle Code 22517)
California Vehicle Code 22517 prohibits opening a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it is safe to do so and doesn’t obstruct the flow of traffic.
The law also states that a person may only leave a vehicle door open on the side of moving traffic for the necessary amount of time required to load or unload passengers.
People who violate this vehicle code could face fines which are usually around $150 to $300 regarding first-time offenses.
The law applies to both drivers and passengers, and cyclists and bike lanes are explicitly protected by the law.
Since dooring is illegal, bicyclists and motorcyclists who have been injured in dooring accidents in California can bring personal injury claims against the people who caused their accidents.
Who Is Liable in a Dooring Accident?
The liability for dooring accidents typically falls on the person who opened the car door.
If you have been involved in a dooring accident as a bicyclist, you are most likely not to blame.
Bicyclists injured in dooring accidents can bring personal injury claims against the responsible parties.
Determining fault in a dooring accident involves reviewing evidence such as witness statements and traffic camera footage.
Dooring cases often require accident reconstructionists or investigators to prove the driver failed to check their surroundings before opening the door.
Insurance claims can be filed against the at-fault driver’s or passenger’s auto insurance policy or through the victim’s own uninsured motorist coverage if the at-fault party is uninsured.
Possible defendants in dooring cases include drivers, passengers and vehicle owners.
A rideshare or delivery company may share liability if a driver or passenger was encouraged to exit unsafely during a dooring accident.
Can a Cyclist Be Partially at Fault?
Comparative negligence may be argued by the party who caused the dooring accident, potentially reducing the victim’s damages.
Even if partially at fault, most states allow recovery of partial damages as long as the injured party is not primarily responsible for the accident.
California is one state which allows for comparative negligence.
The amount of compensation available for injury victims is reduced by their percentage of fault when injury victims are partially at fault for their own injuries in California.
This means that you can still recover compensation by filing a dooring accident lawsuit in California even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
Common examples of partial fault by a cyclist include:
- Ignoring the rules of the road
- Riding recklessly
- Riding too close to parked cars
- Weaving through traffic or speeding
- Ignoring designated bike lanes
What Should I Do After a Dooring Accident?
The steps to take after a dooring accident are similar to the steps you should take after any car or bike accident.
If you are involved in a dooring accident, you should:
Get to Safety
Get out of the way of traffic in order to avoid further injury.
Call 911 or the Police
It’s crucial to have a police report for insurance claims, even when it comes to minor crashes.
Seek Medical Attention
Be evaluated by the paramedics or go to the ER.
Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, might not be immediately apparent.
In fact, some injuries don’t show symptoms for months.
It’s vital to have any injuries documented by a medical professional as soon as possible because if you don’t, an insurance company can claim your injury was caused by something other than your dooring accident and refuse to pay for it.
Gather Information
Obtain the name, insurance information, license plate, address and phone number of the at-fault driver or passenger.
Identify Witnesses
Get the contact details and names of anybody who saw the accident.
Document Everything
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including any injuries, damaged gear, the bike and the car.
Keep Equipment
Don’t clean or repair your bike. It is evidence.
Be Careful What You Say and Who You Talk To
Keep conversation to the absolute minimum necessary to exchange information at the accident scene.
Do not apologize or admit fault.
Do not talk to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Do not give them a recorded statement. Let a lawyer talk to the insurance company for you instead.
Do not post about the accident on social media, as insurance companies monitor accident victims’ social media profiles for anything they can use against them.
Contact a Lawyer
Contact an experienced dooring accident lawyer ASAP.
A lawyer can handle every aspect of your case for you while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
A lawyer can maximize your compensation and protect you from the tactics that insurance companies will use to try to minimize your claim.
How Much Is a Dooring Accident Lawsuit Worth?
A personal injury lawsuit can be filed based on negligence if insurance settlements are insufficient or liability is contested after a dooring accident.
Victims of dooring accidents can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering through lawsuits.
An attorney calculates future care costs, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages like emotional distress when determining a case’s full damage value.
The factors that will influence the value of your case include:
Injury Severity
The primary factor influencing the value of your case will be the severity of your injuries.
Cases involving catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries will be worth more than cases involving only minor injuries.
Liability and Evidence
The amount and quality of your evidence and how clear it is that another party is liable for your injuries will impact the value of your case.
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence may be argued by the party who caused the crash, attempting to reduce their financial exposure by attributing a percentage of fault to the victim.
A skilled bicycle accident attorney can reduce or eliminate any percentage of fault attributed to you after a dooring accident.
Insurance Policy Limits
The amount of insurance that the at fault party carries will affect your case’s value.
Legal Representation
The experience and skill of your lawyer will have a big impact on the size of any settlement you ultimately recover.
Medical Bills
The biggest chunk of compensation you’ll likely recover will be financial compensation for all past and future medical bills related to the dooring accident.
This can include financial compensation for things like ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, medical treatments, doctor visits, rehabilitation, physical therapy and more.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
You may qualify to recover financial compensation for any wages you were unable to earn due to being hurt too badly to work or needing to take time off from work to attend medical appointments.
You might also qualify for financial compensation for any loss or reduction of earning capacity caused by a disability that is the result of your dooring accident.
Pain and Suffering
You may be eligible for financial compensation for any physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress and lost quality of life resulting from your dooring incident.
Property Damage
You could qualify for compensation for the cost to repair or replace your bicycle, motorcycle or scooter after a dooring accident.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one to a dooring accident, you could qualify for compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering endured by your loved one prior to passing
- Medical bills incurred by your loved one prior to passing
- The loss of your loved one’s income, companionship, love, household services and spousal benefits
How Can Bicycle Accident Lawyers Help Me After a Dooring Accident?
Specialization
Attorneys who specifically handle bicycle accidents and dooring claims are more familiar with traffic laws and technical nuances than general personal injury lawyers.
These specialists can help recover general damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress (e.g., PTSD), and future medical needs.
Lawyers specializing in dooring accidents will have specialized experience and a clear plan for proving liability.
Gathering Evidence
A lawyer will gather evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports to prove the driver acted carelessly.
Lawyers can quickly secure time-sensitive proof such as rideshare trip data, dashcam footage, and vehicle sensor signals that can vanish over time.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often argue that a cyclist was partially at fault to reduce payouts, and a lawyer counters these tactics to maximize settlements.
Having a lawyer willing to go to trial signals to insurance companies that the client is prepared to fight, potentially leading to higher settlement offers.
Lawyers negotiate with insurers to prevent clients from inadvertently admitting fault in dooring accident cases.
Handling Every Aspect of Your Case on a Contingency Fee Basis
Lawyers ensure all claims related to dooring accidents are filed within the statute of limitations and handle complex paperwork for claims involving municipalities or commercial entities.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients only pay if they win.
FAQs
Is Dooring Illegal in California?
Yes.
California Vehicle Code 22517 makes it illegal to open a vehicle door unless it is reasonably safe to do so and does not interfere with moving traffic.
Those who violate this vehicle code can be held liable for dooring accidents in lawsuits.
How Common Is Dooring?
Dooring accidents are common in urban areas that have parallel-parked, high-density cars.
Data from the City of Chicago showed that between seven and 20 percent of bicycle crashes are caused by dooring.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dooring Accident Claim in California?
Legal filings related to dooring accidents must meet the strict statute of limitations, which varies from one to several years depending on the state.
The time limit in California is typically two years from the date of the accident.
However, there are exceptions to this two year time limit, some of which shorten it and others which lengthen it.
Contact an attorney at our law firm today to find out if you qualify to file a dooring accident lawsuit.
Calling us today allows us to preserve evidence, gives us as much time as possible to build the strongest case on your behalf, and ensures that all paperwork will be filed on time.
Contact Our Dooring Accident Attorneys Today
Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is dedicated to advocating for the rights of injured cyclists and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was injured or killed in a dooring incident.
Why Clients Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers
- We’ve handled all types of bicycle and motorcycle accident cases, including dooring cases, since 1990.
- Our team helps injury victims get to doctors who don’t charge them until their cases end so all injury victims can afford quality medical treatment.
- We don’t charge our clients any fee until we win their cases.
- Our team provides dooring accident clients with 24/7 availability and reliable communication.
- We and our legal teams have recovered in excess of $750,000,000 for clients.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation.
