When bicyclists ride alongside traffic, there are many risks that can result in serious crashes and injuries. Connecticut expects drivers to share the road with cyclists as if the bicycles were vehicles just like cars. Unfortunately, drivers often fail to pay close enough attention to notice bicycles around them, and this can result in a driver hitting a bicyclist. Sometimes, drivers can seriously injure cyclists even when a car is parked, if a motorist suddenly opens a car door when a bicyclist is passing by. This is called a “dooring accident” and can result in severe injuries.
Dooring Accident Injuries
When a cyclist is riding and a door suddenly opens in front of her, the door will either hit the front wheel of the bike or the body of the cyclist, if the car is taller. Any impact with the door will likely cause traumatic injuries. Additionally, in a dooring accident, a cyclist can either go flying forward over the door or may fall backward off his bike. When someone goes crashing to the ground, that impact can cause additional injuries. Some common injuries in dooring accidents include:
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Broken limbs
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Facial fractures
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Dental damage
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Soft tissue tears
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Spinal cord injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Connecticut law only requires cyclists under age 16 to wear helmets. While every cyclist should wear a helmet, many choose not to. Because bicyclists regularly hit their heads in any type of crash, they can suffer skull fractures and severe TBIs. A TBI can result in unconsciousness or coma, long-term cognitive and physical disabilities, personality changes, and more. Even if a cyclist wears a proper helmet, the impact of the helmet with the car or the pavement may be enough to cause a TBI.
Dooring accidents regularly result in multiple traumatic injuries to one victim. It is critical for any dooring accident victims to discuss their legal rights with an experienced bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
Holding Motorists Liable for Dooring Accidents
When a driver parks alongside the street, they should always look in their side mirror or out the window to ensure there are no cars driving by that might hit the door. These drivers should also be looking for cyclists who may be passing by, especially because bike lanes are often just outside of parking lanes. However, some drivers fail to pay attention enough to see cyclists or even fail to look altogether before they open their doors, resulting in dooring accidents. Even though bicycles are harder to see than cars, this is no excuse for drivers to not take proper care and negligently open their doors. Such drivers should fully compensate injured cyclists after dooring crashes.
Contact Our Hartford Bicycle Accident Attorneys Right Away for Help
At the law firm of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau, we regularly handle insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits for bicyclists injured in all types of accidents. If you suffered injuries in a dooring accident, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call the office at 860-875-7000 to schedule your free consultation today.
