Dooring accidents—when a driver or passenger opens a car door into an oncoming cyclist—cause some of the most severe bicycle injuries. The sudden, unavoidable obstacle sends cyclists into doors, over handlebars, or into traffic. Understanding liability and how to pursue compensation helps dooring victims recover damages.

The Danger of Dooring Accidents

Dooring accidents are particularly dangerous because cyclists have almost no time to react. A door opened suddenly into a cyclist's path creates an unavoidable obstacle. At typical urban cycling speeds of 15-20 mph, impact occurs before the cyclist can process the threat.

Injuries from dooring accidents include traumatic brain injuries from striking the door or pavement, broken bones in shoulders, arms, and collar bones from impact, spinal injuries from being thrown from the bicycle, road rash and lacerations, and secondary injuries from being thrown into traffic.

Legal Responsibility for Dooring

In most jurisdictions, motorists bear responsibility for checking for approaching cyclists before opening doors. Many states have specific statutes making it illegal to open doors into traffic when unsafe. These laws establish that the person opening the door is negligent.

Both drivers and passengers can be held liable for opening doors. If a passenger opens the door, the driver may still share liability for not warning the passenger or for parking position. Ride-share drivers bear responsibility for passengers they are transporting.

Evidence in Dooring Cases

Proving dooring liability requires evidence that the door was opened into your path. Witness statements from people who saw the door open or the collision are valuable. Photographs showing door position, the cyclist's trajectory, and vehicle parking position document the scene.

Vehicle damage to the door and cyclist injuries showing impact patterns corroborate the dooring account. Police reports documenting the incident and any citations issued provide official records.

Insurance Coverage for Dooring Accidents

The vehicle occupant's auto liability insurance covers dooring injuries. Both driver policies and, potentially, separately insured passengers' policies may provide coverage. If the person who opened the door is uninsured or underinsured, the cyclist's own UM/UIM coverage may apply.

For dooring by ride-share vehicle occupants, Uber or Lyft's commercial policies may provide coverage depending on the driver's status at the time of the incident.

Comparative Fault Arguments

Defense attorneys may argue cyclists share fault for dooring accidents. Common arguments include the cyclist was riding too close to parked cars, the cyclist should have anticipated opening doors, and the cyclist was traveling too fast for conditions.

These arguments can often be countered effectively. Cyclists often have limited roadway space forcing proximity to parked cars. Bike lanes frequently run adjacent to parking. The person opening the door has a clear duty to check—cyclists cannot predict which specific door will open.

Preventing Dooring Accidents

While drivers bear primary responsibility, cyclists can reduce dooring risk by riding at least 3-4 feet from parked cars when possible, watching for occupants in parked cars or brake lights indicating recent parking, and reducing speed in areas with heavy parking.

Advocacy for better bike infrastructure—protected bike lanes separated from door zones—addresses the systemic problem.

If you were injured in a dooring accident, document the scene, get witness information, and consult with a bicycle accident attorney to pursue the compensation you deserve.