Dooring Can Cause Serious Injury to Bicyclists

Bicyclists are automatically at a disadvantage on the road because of their small size as compared to cars and other vehicles. Additionally, their riders are more vulnerable as there is little protection between them and the street. Drivers tend to be inattentive and distracted sometimes, running into bicyclists who have a legal right to be on the road as much as anyone else.

Effects "Dooring" Can Create

Dooring is the action of opening a car door in a parked car and hitting a bicyclist as they are passing by, causing a collision. Sometimes when this occurs, the cyclist is able to swerve out of the way quickly enough to avoid hitting the door but then winds up in the traffic lane filled with cars and can sustain serious injuries by colliding with another moving vehicle. This type of accident unfortunately is not uncommon.

It is the responsibility of the driver and any occupants in the vehicle to look before opening their door to ensure it is safe. Due to the number of fatalities, many jurisdictions have put laws in place that outline this responsibility. These laws need to be promoted more broadly to the public to increase awareness of the dangerous consequences of dooring which will in turn, help prevent injury and save lives.

Get Competent Legal Assistance

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident as a result of "dooring" or from some other form of driver negligence in the San Diego area, you should contact a San Diego personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Don't wait as valuable evidence can get lost or misplaced which can affect the success of the case. You deserve compensation for your injuries and at the Law Office of Mark Bush, we can help you file a personal injury claim.

Depending upon the severity of the injuries, you may need financial help for some time to come including getting compensation for lost income if you are unable to work. A majority of insurance companies cover cyclist injuries that result from accidental dooring on the part of a driver or passenger under the driver's insurance policy. We can help you through each step of the personal injury lawsuit process to ensure you get fair and equitable compensation.

Contact a San Diego bicycle accident lawyer at our firm and we will discuss the details of your accident in a free consultation.