Dooring accidents happen when a driver or their passenger negligently opens their car door into an area where a moving cyclist is riding. In one scenario the door is opened and the rider of the bicycle hits the opened car door and is injured. Another scenario, and one that is potentially more dangerous, is when the car door is opened and the rider instinctually swerves to avoid the opened door and is injured after moving into passing traffic. Many dooring accidents lead to injuries while others prove to be fatal.
In order to better protect bicycle riders, California and at least 39 others states have codified dooring into the law. California vehicle code section 22517(CVC) states that no person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to traffic unless it is reasonable safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of such traffic. Bicycle riders are especially vulnerable to this sort of accident as more people turn to bicycling for local travel.
Most accident reports from law enforcement classify dooring as a non-specified collision of a car and a cyclist but more and more cities are focusing on accurate reporting of the behavior and working to educate drivers and riders alike. In 2011 Chicago reported over 325 cyclists injured as a result of an unexpected car door being placed in their path of travel. That means almost 20% of all cycling related injuries were the result of dooring. If you have been injured in this manner we can help!
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people.. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
