Bicycle Accident Lawyers discuss Dooring: A Small Mistake Can Result in a Big Bicycle Accident

 

According to data from the League of American Bicyclists, the number of people commuting by bicycle increased by 62% between 2000 and 2014. Unfortunately, not all motorists are accustomed to watching for cyclists; a motorist’s lack of awareness can sometimes cause severe injury or even death. One way that inattentive motorists can injure bicyclists is by opening their door into the path of a bike.

Opening a car door into the path of a bike is known as “dooring”. According to a study published by the City of Chicago, dooring causes more than 7% of bicycle-related accidents. When dooring incidents take place, cyclists often look to bicycle accident lawyers to help recover the settlements that pay medical bills and compensate them for pain and suffering.

Incidents of dooring can cause severe injuries or even death. In addition to causing injuries via the direct impact of the door with the cyclist, or by causing the cyclist to fall, dooring can push a cyclist out of a bike lane and into traffic.

This is what happened to Jasmine Herron in 2010 when an inattentive driver opened a car door, pushing her into the path of a bus. Ms. Herron was killed in the accident. Other cyclists like Tom Georgiades have suffered broken bones in similar incidents. A dooring accident can leave cyclists with medical bills, time off from work and pain and suffering. Dooring accidents can even kill, leaving families without a loved one who may have been the breadwinner of the household.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a dooring accident, or any type of accident, please contact us.