Many bicycle crashes occur because drivers don’t watch for cyclists in traffic. The failure to watch for cyclists can lead to preventable collisions with catastrophic consequences. However, a vehicle doesn’t need to be in motion for it to pose a threat to a cyclist.
Stopped vehicles can also cause incidents that injure cyclists. The people in vehicles generally need to check their surroundings carefully before they exit, especially on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Failing to do so could result in a dooring incident.
Dooring can cause several types of injuries
A dooring is a type of bicycle crash where a moving cyclist collides with the open door of a stationary motor vehicle. Doorings can cause several kinds of serious injuries. Cyclists can sustain immediate blunt-force trauma when they collide with the door. They could break bones or sustain brain injuries. They may incur serious lacerations that cause blood loss and create infection risk.
In cases involving cyclists moving at higher speeds, they could end up thrown into traffic during a dooring incident. They could then sustain numerous additional injuries due to secondary collisions. Even the best protective gear cannot eliminate the possibility of an injury in a dooring incident.
Vehicle occupants should prioritize safety
State traffic laws require that motorists pay attention to their surroundings. They also require that people share the road with cyclists and pedestrians. The law even requires that passengers check their surroundings before exiting a vehicle in a manner that could interrupt traffic.
Opening a door into oncoming traffic violates state law and creates the risk of a preventable collision. Cyclists may not be able to stop in time to avoid a dooring incident even if they are careful about monitoring their surroundings.
Those in vehicles should carefully check not just for approaching cars but also for cyclists. Injured cyclists may have medical bills to cover. They may need to replace their damaged bicycles and safety gear. If their injuries are significant, they may also have lost wages to address.
Holding vehicle occupants responsible for preventable bicycle crashes can help cyclists limit their losses after a dooring incident. Insurance claims and personal injury litigation can help injured cyclists cover the expenses generated by a collision.
