Dooring Accidents: How They Happen, Who’s to Blame, and Your Next Steps
If you ride a bike or motorcycle in California, you’re in good company. California is fourth on the list of most bicycle-friendly states and is widely recognized for being one of the safest states for motorcyclists. Having said that, motorcyclists and bicyclists do face certain risks that other motorists don’t—and dooring is one of them. Dooring occurs when someone opens their car door into the path of a bicyclist or motorcycle rider, and it’s a common hazard in urban areas. Working with an Inland Empire motorcycle accident lawyer after a collision is crucial if you want to assert your rights.
Attorney Scot Thomas Moga, founder of Moga Law Firm, has spent nearly 30 years helping accident victims get the compensation they are owed after suffering injuries. As an avid bicyclist and motorcycle rider, he understands the risks that you face when you hit the roads in California. To discuss your case with the team at our motorcycle accident law firm, call us at 909-931-2444 today.
How Dooring Accidents Happen on California Roads
Dooring accidents occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a cyclist or motorcyclist. These accidents are the result of several different errors. Drivers may forget to check their sideview mirrors before opening their doors, simply assuming that the path is clear. These accidents also happen when drivers and passengers are distracted while exiting their vehicle. Phone usage is a common theme, but you’ll also see this happen when people are running late and rushing. Depending on where you are in the Upland area, you may notice that bike lanes run directly next to parking lanes. Unfortunately, this is the ideal setup for a dooring accident, as anyone traveling in the bike lane could be in the path of an exiting driver. Limited visibility is also an issue at night or during heavy traffic. When drivers can’t spot oncoming riders, they can’t yield to them.
The Dangers of Dooring Accidents
For cyclists and motorcycle riders, dooring can have severe consequences. When a rider collides with an open door, the impact can throw them from their vehicle. They may hit the pavement or another parked vehicle—or, even worse, they could be thrown into the path of oncoming traffic. This can turn an already serious accident into a fatal one.
Injuries vary, as motorcycle accident attorneys know that a lot depends on the rider’s speed and whether or not they had protective gear on. Commonly reported injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and severe road rash.
Some of these injuries aren’t even the result of hitting the door itself. Riders may see a driver open their door in their path and instinctively swerve to avoid it—and that causes them to be struck by another vehicle.
Who’s Responsible?
California law is clear on this matter. It states that no one can open their door on a side open to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and they are able to do so without interfering with traffic. If a driver or passenger opens their door into a path where a bicyclist or motorcyclist could be, they are obligated to check and verify that there is no oncoming traffic and that no one will have to slow down for them. If they fail to do so and an accident occurs, liability likely rests with them.
This may be the case even if the rider never actually hits the door. In the example described earlier, when a rider swerves to avoid an opening door, the driver opening the door could still be liable. When riders swerve out of the way, they often do so in a way that gives other drivers no reasonable way to avoid hitting them, even if they immediately hit the brakes. When this happens, the rider’s bicycle or motorcycle accident law firm may seek compensation from the driver who started the entire incident by opening their door.
Start Your Case by Consulting With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The sooner you consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer, the sooner they can begin investigating your accident and looking into compensation. Schedule a consultation right away by calling us at 909-931-2444 or contacting us online.
Scot Thomas Moga, a dedicated attorney in San Bernardino & Riverside Counties who represents clients in the many types of personal injury, workers’ compensation and estate planning cases.
