Have You Been “Doored” On a Bicycle?

Bicyclists traveling in and around the City are steadily increasing especially since the relatively recent resurgence of Buffalo . The City is encouraging bicycle riding by installing more bike racks, many additional miles of bike lanes each year, and hiring a consultant to craft a master plan for bicycling in Buffalo . As a result, with more bicycles sharing the roadways with automobiles, there is an increased risk of “dooring”- the act of a cyclist striking a suddenly opened car door .

“ Dooring ” is a significant danger for cyclists, especially in the City, where there is little room between the moving bike and the parked cars. When a parked car door opens suddenly in their path of travel, a bicyclist can suffer a severe injury. Any parked vehicle passed by a cyclist is a potential threat to that rider.

Your best defense is to look ahead and be aware . If possible, ride 3 – 4 feet from parked cars, taking the travel lane, if necessary and safe. Be prepared to stop suddenly in an emergency.

Sadly, even with some of the most cautious and experienced riders, doorings have become a common occurrence in Buffalo and make up a significant percentage of bicycling accidents . If you have suffered an injury because of a car dooring collision, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation depending upon your injuries.

In New York State, Article 33-New York Vehicle & Traffic Law, Section 1214 states "opening and closing vehicle doors – "No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic, until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic , nor shall a person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers."

What should you do if you’ve been “doored”?

• Call 911.
• Contact the police. Obtain all of the accident information before leaving the scene including the name of the driver and any passengers, insurance information, and license plate.
• Seek immediate medical attention, if necessary.
• If possible, record the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
• Consult an experienced bicycle injury attorney as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a “dooring” accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact experienced bicycle accident attorney Craig Small of the Small Law Firm at 716-847-2600 or Contact Us online today for a free and confidential consultation.