Dooring incidents are among the most dangerous collisions for cyclists. If people in motor vehicles don’t check their surroundings, as the law requires, they may block an oncoming cyclist by opening a car door.
The cyclist may not be able to avoid hitting the door, which can have major consequences. What injuries are likely when a cyclist collides with a car door in traffic?
1. Broken bones
A cyclist who sees a vehicle occupant open the door in their path may swerve to try to avoid it. They might clip the door, resulting in a fracture to the body part that makes contact. If they hit the door directly, they could break many bones, especially if they get thrown into traffic.
2. Brain injuries
Even with a helmet, a cyclist who collides with the door can sustain a blunt force trauma injury to their head. The force of impact could potentially cause a moderate to severe brain injury. The cyclist may experience a variety of symptoms, some of which could become permanent.
3. Road rash
If a cyclist gets thrown off their bicycle or over the door in a dooring incident, they could end up sliding along the pavement. They could also develop road rash if they fall off of their bicycle in an attempt to avoid the collision. Road rash can be painful. It can impact functional capabilities and could even cause disfiguring scars.
Holding drivers and vehicle occupants responsible for cycling collisions, including doorings, can help people limit their losses. Cyclists injured due to unsafe conduct may have grounds for a lawsuit or an insurance claim.
