Who Is at Fault for Bicycle Accidents Involving Doorings?

One of the most common and preventable hazards cyclists face, especially on crowded city streets, is a “dooring” accident. This happens when a person in a parked vehicle opens a car door into the path of a cyclist, causing a sudden and often serious collision. While it may seem like a low-speed accident, doorings can cause serious injuries to cyclists. 

If you’ve been injured in a dooring incident while riding a bike, you may be entitled to compensation. At Morelli Law, we help injured cyclists understand their rights and pursue justice. Here’s what you need to know about dooring accidents, liability, and how the law protects you. 

What Exactly Qualifies as a Dooring Accident? 

A dooring occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path without first checking for oncoming bike traffic. The cyclist, with little time or space to react, collides with the door or is forced to swerve into traffic, sometimes with catastrophic results. 

These accidents often happen in city areas where parked cars line the streets and bike lanes run alongside them. Despite growing awareness and more dedicated bike infrastructure, doorings remain a major threat for cyclists in every city. 

How Do Doorings Even Happen? 

Dooring accidents are usually the result of one thing: failure to look. Motorists and passengers often forget to check their side mirrors or blind spots before swinging open a door. This simple act of negligence can have devastating consequences for someone riding a bike just a few feet away. 

Dooring accidents are usually the result of: 

• Drivers opening doors without checking for cyclists 
• Passengers exiting rideshare vehicles unsafely 
• Poor visibility due to parked cars, weather, or lighting 
• Distracted behavior, such as using a phone while exiting 
• Lack of awareness of bike lanes or traffic flow 

Cyclists are Often Injured By Dooring Accidents 

Cyclists are especially vulnerable in dooring crashes because they have little protection and time to react. These incidents can result in: 

• Broken bones (especially collarbones, wrists, and arms) 
• Head injuries or concussions (even with helmets) 
• Lacerations and road rash 
• Dental and facial trauma 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Internal bleeding 
• Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress 

Some victims can also be thrown into traffic after hitting the door, leading to even more severe injuries from secondary collisions with vehicles, other cyclists, and stationary objects like signs, etc.  

What Does New York Say Law About Doorings? 

In New York, the law is clear: drivers and passengers are responsible for ensuring it is safe before opening a car door. 

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1214, it is illegal to open a car door on the side of moving traffic unless it is “reasonably safe to do so” and will not “interfere with the movement of other traffic.” This includes cyclists. The law also prohibits leaving a car door open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. If a driver or passenger violates this law and causes injury to a cyclist, they may be held legally liable for damages. 

Who Else Can be at Fault in a Dooring Accident? 

In most dooring cases, the person opening the door is at fault since they have a legal duty to check before opening the door. This applies to both drivers and passengers. 

Liability can fall on: 

• A driver opening the door into a cyclist 
• A rideshare passenger exiting into a bike lane 
• A commercial vehicle operator or delivery driver 
• A car owner who fails to warn passengers about safe exiting 

In some cases, cyclists may share some responsibility, especially if: 

• They were riding outside a designated bike lane unnecessarily 
• They were riding against traffic 
• They were moving at unsafe speeds 
• They ignored traffic signals or signage 

However, New York follows a comparative negligence system. This means even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation, though your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Every case is different, and the amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and how clearly fault can be established. 

Hit by a Door While Cycling? Morelli Law Can Help 

At Morelli Law, we’re committed to fighting for cyclists who’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness. Our personal injury lawyers are experts in cycling accidents, and we know how to build a strong case on your behalf. You deserve the right to bike safely on your city’s streets, without the fear of getting hit by a door while in a bike lane. 

Don’t Wait to Get Help 

If you’ve been injured in a dooring accident while riding your bike, contact our legal team today for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you take the next step toward recovery.