Bike Lawyers

While cyclists have the right to share the road with others, they often have to be much more careful than other drivers. This is because it can sometimes be hard to see a cyclist on the road or because car and truck drivers feel as if they should not have to share the road with cyclists. This can be frustrating but it can also lead to more accidents and unsafe conditions for cyclists. One of the most common accidents that can happen as a cyclist is getting “doored”. This happens when a person on their bicycle is heading down the road and a person in a car opens up their door and either hit the person on the bike when they open it up or opens the door in the direct path of the cyclist causing them to run into it and fly off their bike. This can be a very dangerous scenario and cause the cyclist serious injuries. 

Are there laws that protect cyclists? 

Absolutely. While it is up to everyone on the road–including cyclists–to be mindful of their surroundings, it is up to those in cars to be especially careful when opening up their doors into moving traffic and areas where other cars and cyclists are. To do this, the person in the parked car must put their vehicle in the park position, look to see if anyone is coming, and safely exit their vehicle. 

What should I do if I am injured in a dooring accident?

If you were injured in a dooring accident, you should do the following.

• Assess yourself for injuries. If you can move, safely get up and move yourself to a location where you are out of immediate danger, such as oncoming cars. 

• Exchange information. Next, you will want to exchange information with the person who opened up their car door on you. Get their name, insurance information, and car information. If the person sped off after they opened up the door on you, try to get their license plate and car description. If you were unable to do so, check around you to see if there are any security cameras. 

• Call the police. It is important that you call the police to the scene of the accident if you were injured and if there is any property damage. They can write up a police report and get an ambulance to the scene if you need one. 

• Seek medical attention. After you are finished at the scene of the accident, it is crucial that you get medical attention to assess the damage done and to see if you need any further medical treatment. They can thoroughly examine you and see if you may be suffering from any kind of traumatic head injury that could be hard to see immediately following the dooring accident. 

• Get legal help. Next, you should get legal help following the accident by looking to local lawyers, like bike lawyers from a law firm like Cohen & Cohen, P.C. 

Do not hesitate to get the legal help you need after a dooring accident. Call your local law firm today for more information.