Don’t Let a Careless Motorist Blame You for a Dooring Accident

What is a Dooring Accident?

Dooring accidents happen without warning and can be dangerous or even deadly to riders. When a cyclist is utilizing the bike lane and a person exits a parked or stopped car without looking for, or noticing the approaching rider, often times the bicycle rider is unable to avoid running into the open car door. This is called being doored. There are numerous videos of cyclists being doored[1] and how quickly it can occur. The injuries suffered by bicyclists can be severe and include:

1. Death;
2. Traumatic brain injury and/or concussions;
3. Spinal cord damage and/or paralysis;
4. Disfigurement;
5. Fractured or broken bones;
6. Nerve damage;
7. Lacerations, contusions and road rash; and
8. Neck and back injuries.

Where are Riders Most at Risk to be Involved in a Dooring Accident?

Dooring accidents can happen on any road that has parallel parking or any location where someone is exiting a vehicle while still on the road. However, dooring accidents are much more common in downtown urban areas. This is because there is a higher concentration of motorists and bicyclists in a confined area. St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa all have areas in which cyclists must be ever alert for danger of being doored. As a general rule, it is best for cyclists to avoid these downtown areas when riding strictly for pleasure.

How Can You Avoid a Dooring Accident?

If you watched the video, you can see how quickly a dooring accident can occur. As a bicycle rider, you can do several things to avoid being involved in a dooring accident.

1. Stay out of the door zone. Keep enough distance between your bike and all cars to allow an inattentive driver room to open their door without striking you.
2. Wear bright colors and have a light on your bike, if riding at night.
3. Watch for people who are preparing to exit a vehicle.
4. Pay close attention to cabs.
5. Wearing saftety gear may not prevent a dooring accident, but it can certainly lessen the injuries suffered in one.

Whose Fault is a Dooring Accident?

Generally speaking, the occupants of a vehicle have a duty to make sure that it is safe to open a door prior to opening it. Therefore, if they fail to do and injure a biker then they may be liable for those injuries. Each case needs to be reviewed on a case by case basis. Do not simply allow a driver or even a police officer to blame you for a dooring accident if you feel you are not at fault. Make an appointment and one of the lawyers at Jones Law Group will be happy to analyze your case free of charge.

Contact Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bicycle, pedestrian or car accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707

References:

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFFZnnasd_Q