If you need to know how to avoid bicycle dooring accidents, Chicago is a great place to learn. Many people in this busy city use bicycles as transportation methods for work, pleasure, and the associated health benefits.
While there are plenty of infrastructural changes making the city safer for bicycle riders, there will always be some risks associated with cycling in the Windy City. If you get hurt in a bicycle dooring accident, a Chicago bike accident lawyer from our team can guide you through the claims process to earn compensation.
One of the main causes of bike accidents in large cities like Chicago is dooring. Dooring is a type of collision that involves a motor vehicle occupant opening a door into the path of a bicycle rider. Although dooring accidents typically occur with parked cars, they can also occur when a vehicle is at an intersection or in slow-moving traffic.
In this guide, we will discuss the dangers of dooring and what you can do if a collision occurs.
Why Car Door Accidents Are Dangerous for Cyclists
A bicycle dooring accident can be incredibly dangerous for the rider, even at low speeds. When a car door hits a biker, the only protection they may have is their helmet and some protective clothing. Otherwise, the vehicle shell does not protect the rider from blunt-force trauma, internal organ damage, road rash, or other severe injuries.
Therefore, dooring accidents can have significant consequences for the oncoming cyclist. The unexpected nature of the collision could result in the biker hitting the car door directly or swerving into other obstacles to avoid the crash. They could easily be thrown over the handlebars or jerk to a sudden stop when they hit the door.
Chicago’s Dooring Laws and Regulations
In most dooring accidents, the person opening the car door is liable for any injuries that may ensue.
There are some exceptions, but the door opener is usually at fault because of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1407), which states that dooring is illegal. Drivers and passengers must ensure the area is safe before opening a door, and they must not leave the door open for too long.
The “Dutch Reach” law states that motor vehicle occupants must use their far hands to open doors, which forces them to turn and check for oncoming vehicles, bikers, or pedestrians. This increases the chance that they would notice an oncoming cyclist.
Even though many laws protect the bicyclist in a dooring accident, it is best to mitigate the risks and avoid getting injured when a car opens.
Practical Tips for Cyclists: How to Avoid Being Doored
Whether you are riding in bike lanes, marked sidewalks, or shared roadways, you can take steps to lower the risk of a bicycle dooring accident.
First, ride defensively and try to anticipate potential hazards. Wear bright and visible clothing to increase your chances of being seen by vehicle occupants.
Use headlamps and reflectors at night, as per municipal code 9-52-080. Maintain a safe distance from parked cars by riding as close to the left side of the bike lane as possible to avoid the door zone, following code 9-52-040.
Scan parked vehicles to see if someone is about to exit a car. If you notice someone about to open a vehicle door, use your bell or voice to alert them. If you are riding in an area with a lot of vehicles, bikes, and pedestrian traffic, be extra cautious.
Following these tips will help you avoid bicycle accidents when riding in bike lanes, shared streets, and intersections.
Tips for Drivers and Passengers: Preventing Dooring Accidents
As a motorist or passenger in a car, you are responsible for preventing dooring collisions with bikers. Always check for oncoming traffic and bicyclists before opening the car door. Use the “Dutch Reach” method to force yourself to turn and check those blind spots.
If you are the driver, warn your passengers to check for an oncoming cyclist before exiting the vehicle, especially if you are parked next to designated bike lanes. Try to park in designated areas when possible to stay away from roads and bike lanes that are in use.
What to Do After a Dooring Accident
Even if you follow all the tips to avoid a dooring collision, these accidents are sometimes inevitable. Some people simply don’t pay attention when opening car doors. If you get hurt from a bicycle dooring accident, here are some steps to follow as the cyclist:
- Seek safety and immediate medical attention for your injuries
- Contact the police so an official accident report is created
- Gather information from the accident scene, such as insurance company details
- Document the scene with photos and videos
- Do not admit fault to anyone
- Contact a lawyer who handles bicycle accidents
If you are the passenger or driver involved in the collision, this is what you should do:
- Remain at the scene
- Check on the bicyclist
- Call 911
- Exchange information with the bicyclist if possible
- Do not admit fault
Legal Options After a Dooring Accident in Chicago
As an injured bicyclist in a dooring accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation for legal damages. You must be able to prove that someone else’s negligence caused the accident and, therefore, your suffering.
Establishing liability will require proof of the defendant’s duty of care, a breach of that duty, a causal link between their actions and your accident, and legal damages. You will then file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
You could be eligible for compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
The Importance of Legal Representation
Hiring a bicycle accident attorney after a serious injury can pay immense dividends. First, this legal professional will understand the complexities of bicycle safety and collisions with parked cars.
They will also know how to assess your damages, gather compelling evidence, build a strong case, and negotiate for maximum compensation. If your case goes to a civil trial, your attorney will represent you.
Navigating the claims process alone could result in insufficient compensation.
Secure Expert Legal Counsell!
An experienced bicycle accident law firm can make all the difference in winning your claim. Our team is ready to handle the legal logistics so you can focus on recovering from your serious injury. Contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation with a bike accident lawyer serving Illinois.
