Chicago Dooring Accident Attorney

Dooring accidents are a type of bicycle accident where a motor vehicle or car door opening results in an accident. Dooring accidents can happen in several different ways, from direct collisions to having to steer out of bike lanes to avoid one. 

They can result in serious injuries or even death and typically occur when motor vehicle drivers are not paying attention to oncoming bicycles before opening their car doors. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have worked with many bicycle riders to develop an accident case against a negligent driver, and many of these cases involve dooring accidents. Injured bicyclists may be entitled to financial compensation due to medical expenses, lost wages, or other costs. 

Here we highlight what typical dooring accidents involve and how to file a claim. Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys have a great track record of fighting for bicycle accident victims in Chicago, where busy streets are a distracting environment.

What Is a Dooring Accident?

Dooring accidents occur when car doors obstruct the bike line suddenly, giving riders in bike lanes little time to react. They either strike the vehicle doors directly or have to swerve into moving traffic to avoid doing so, often resulting in bike accidents. This is typically due to a negligent driver.

Dooring accidents typically occur in bike lanes, but they can also happen on the street, especially if a bicyclist reacts in time to avoid an open vehicle door. These accidents usually happen due to a parked car, but not necessarily; any time a car door opens, even briefly without parking, a dooring accident can occur.

Are Drivers Always Liable for Bicycle Dooring Accidents?

Drivers are not always liable for dooring accidents. While Illinois vehicle code does require a driver to ensure that it is clear and safe before opening a door, especially in front of bike lanes, this does not happen often.  

Some form of evidence or proof showing how the accident occurred needs to be present. Proof typically includes eyewitness accounts, medical records, or something similar, like a police report. 

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers can help gather this evidence during the case-building process.

The Importance of Hiring a Chicago Dooring Accident Lawyer

A Chicago bicycle accident law firm like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is necessary for the success of personal injury cases, such as bicycle dooring accidents. This includes the investigation, insurance settlements, and court representation.

Our attorneys will help recover evidence from accidents that may be difficult or troublesome for injury victims to obtain themselves, such as traffic surveillance cameras, eyewitness reports, or documentation from the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. This can help the investigation process go more smoothly and quickly, as well as increase the chances of winning a case.

Our law firm can also assist in insurance claims during the settlement process. They understand insurance laws, injury laws, and the process overall, and they can work alongside the insurance company to ensure claims are properly filed.

Court representation requires an attorney, and this includes personal injury cases such as a dooring accident. We will gather and present evidence in court, work to reduce or eliminate your fault in the accident and attempt to earn the highest settlement possible for your particular case.

Injuries Typically Sustained in Dooring Incidents

While any injury can occur in a bicycle accident, dooring incidents typically result in a few particularly serious conditions that can cause permanent damage and high medical expenses:

• Back Injuries: Striking a car door or being hit by moving traffic can damage or break the spine causing partial or total paralysis.
• Broken Bones: While broken bones can heal with proper medical care, it can be costly to receive treatment. Broken bones may cause pain even after the bones have healed.
• Brain Injuries: Head injuries often crack the skull in bicycle crashes which can result in bleeding, swelling, and other serious injury of the brain.
• Road Rash: Collision with pavement can scrape skin causing severe abrasions.
• Joint Dislocations: Bike collisions can dislocate joints, causing pain, limited use, and permanent joint problems.
• Dental injuries: Facial injuries due to collision with vehicle doors or pavement can damage or remove teeth entirely.
• Wrongful Death: Bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles can result in death as bike riders are vulnerable to motor vehicles.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action for a Dooring Bicycle Accident Case

You can’t wait too long to take action and file a claim. Illinois has a statute of limitations limiting how long you have to file a claim. For accident injuries, under Illinois law, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file. For property damage, it increases to five years.

Damages Our Bicycle Dooring Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

Dooring accidents can cause many different problems, including job loss, medical bills, permanent injuries, or mental suffering. Accident lawyers will determine what damages have occurred as a result of an accident and can help you recover them.

Economic Damages

These are direct financial consequences that stem from the accident. Accidents typically cause injuries requiring costly medical treatment and lost wages from missing work days. 

Economic damages help recover these financial losses, and they can include:

• Medical bills
• Medication costs
• Lost wages 
• Property damage costs (such as bicycle damage)
• Lost earning potential
• Any out-of-pocket costs

Non-Economic Damages

Not all damages from an accident are financial. Pain can make daily living difficult or impossible. The death of a loved one can result in major emotional trauma. If accidents result in death, it can severely impact current and future happiness and mental health.

Some non-economic damages can include:

• Physical pain in daily life
• Mental suffering due to PTSD, anxiety, loss of life, or injury
• Emotional suffering due to loss of life, job loss, or relationship loss
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Are Dooring Bicycle Accident Lawyers Expensive?

It may be intimidating to think about contacting a lawyer due to cost. However, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offer a free consultation to evaluate your case without having to worry about finances. As a bonus, you can contact them 24/7 to start a consultation.

Our contingency fee policy ensures legal expenses don’t come directly out of your pocket but as a fee withdrawn from any compensation won in your case. This ensures legal help is accessible regardless of income.

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers have extensive experience regarding personal injury cases involving bicycle and dooring accidents, ensuring you have a good chance of winning your case.

Contact a Chicago Dooring Accident Attorney Today!

If you or your loved one has been a victim of a Chicago dooring accident, there’s no time like the present to contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our legal team will work directly with you to ensure your case is thoroughly evaluated in every detail, and our contingency fee guarantees legal services are financially accessible.

Call us to get started on your case consultation at any time of day, 24/7, by dialing (888)-424-5757. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your voice is heard.

We also serve clients from Chicago, Decatur, Evanston, Schaumburg  and throughout Illinois.