Cyclists face a lot of risks when they share the road with cars and trucks, but it’s natural to assume that the risk is gone when riding near parked vehicles. Unfortunately, this is not true, and people in parked cars can still cause accidents that lead to serious injuries or even death.
What is dooring?
The issue is something known in slang terms as “dooring” or “getting doored.” It happens when people in parked cars neglect to check for cyclists riding up behind them in the street. They simply swing the door open. It enters the bike lane or the right edge of the traffic lane — both places where cyclists are allowed to ride. If a cyclist hits the door, they can break bones, suffer a TBI, get thrown from the bike or worse.
In some cases, cyclists try to swerve to miss the door, but this sends them right into the traffic lanes, where they can be struck by another driver who has done nothing wrong. In other cases, cyclists hit the door and the impact propels them into traffic. The second crash may be the one that has the biggest ramifications, but the entire event starts with the person in the parked car opening their door in a careless manner.
What are your options?
If you get involved in an accident like this, you may find yourself facing lost wages, massive medical bills and other types of debt. Be sure you know what legal options you have, as you may be able to seek financial compensation.