Dooring Bike Accidents
Bicyclists can suffer severe injuries when a negligent driver opens a door without looking
Dooring bike accidents are a common and often overlooked hazard for Florida bicyclists, especially in urban areas where cars are frequently parked along the sides of busy streets. A dooring accident occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. Bicyclists often have little or no time to avoid a collision.
These accidents are particularly dangerous because cyclists may be thrown into traffic or onto the pavement. This often results in serious injuries and even fatalities. If you or a loved one was hurt in a dooring bike accident, a Tampa bicycle accident lawyer at Armando Personal Injury Law can be your legal advocate and fight for fair compensation.
Who is at fault for a dooring bike accident?
In most dooring accidents, the person who opened the car door is considered at fault. Florida law requires drivers and passengers to check for oncoming traffic—including bicyclists—before opening their doors.
Specifically, Florida Statute 316.2005 states that a person should not open a car door on the side available to moving traffic unless it is safe to do so and can be done without interfering with traffic.
This means that if a driver or passenger opens a door into the path of a bicyclist, they can be found negligent and liable for the resulting injuries. However, establishing fault in dooring bike accidents can sometimes be complicated.
Common injuries caused by dooring accidents
Dooring accidents can result in a wide range of serious injuries, some of which can have long-term or even permanent effects. Common injuries from dooring accidents include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries, including concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
Steps to take after a dooring accident
If you are involved in a dooring accident, taking the following steps can help protect your health and your legal rights:
- Check for injuries and seek medical attention: Immediately after the accident, check yourself for injuries. Even if you feel okay, it’s important to seek medical attention, as some injuries may not be immediately obvious.
- Document the scene: If you are able, take photos of the bike accident scene, including the position of the car, the open door, your bicycle, and any visible injuries.
- Get information from the driver/passenger: Obtain the contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details of the person who opened the door. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information as well.
- File a police report: Contact the police to report the bike accident. A police report will provide an official and unbiased record of the incident. Our attorneys can use it as a key piece of evidence in your case.
- Notify your insurance company: If you have car insurance, notify your insurance company. Provide them with the date, time, location, nature of the bike accident, and information on the parties involved.
- Save all documentation: Keep all medical records and bills, proof of lost wages, a pain and suffering journal, and the cost of replacing or repairing your bike or other personal items.
- Adhere to all legal and medical advice: Get legal help from an experienced Tampa bicycle accident lawyer and avoid providing a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company. Also, avoid any physical activities that can worsen your injury or disprove your claim.
Let a Tampa dooring bike accident lawyer fight for you
If you or a loved one was hurt in a dooring bike accident in Tampa, you need a strong legal advocate in your corner. Armando Personal Injury Law won’t back down from the insurance companies, no matter what tactics they use to shift the blame or reduce your compensation.
We’re committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and getting maximum compensation for our clients, and our case results speak for themselves. Our experienced legal team can thoroughly investigate your dooring accident and aggressively fight for a settlement or court award that covers the full extent of your damages.
Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact us online or call us for a free and confidential case consultation. We’ll take the time to listen to your story and provide honest answers to any questions you have.