Winter is thawing here in Minnesota, and that means that the streets and paths will soon be full of cyclists taking the scenic route to work or simply going for an afternoon ride. Cycling can be a great way to stay healthy and reduce your carbon footprint, but you’re also not as protected in the event of a collision in the event you get in an accident with a vehicle. Every year, thousands of Minnesotans are injured while riding their bicycle as a result of a collision with a car, and one of the most common types of accidents involves getting “doored.”
As the name implies, getting doored is an accident that involves a cyclist being struck by a vehicle’s open door. Since many bike lanes sit on the right side of traffic but on the left side or street parking spaces, it’s not uncommon for cyclists to be struck by a door after a driver parked their vehicle and then opened their door without checking to make sure it was safe to do so. In fact, upwards of 80 percent of bike-vehicle collisions involve a dooring.
So what should you do if you were injured after a driver opening their door while you were riding by? Below, we talk about your legal options after getting doored.
Getting Doored And Getting Compensation
Running into a metal door when you least expect it can cause a multitude of injuries. You may have just clipped the door and managed to catch yourself a bit during your fall, or you may have gone head or handlebars, somersaulting onto the pavement as cars whizzed nearby. Whatever your crash looked like, odds are you’re hurting a bit. We understand that you may be angry or embarrassed and just want to get back on your bike and get home, but that’s not a great idea. If you do end up filing for compensation for your injuries, you’re going to want to get the driver’s information and call the police to ensure that a report is filed. This is an official document of the incident, and it will help you immensely if you decide to file. Even if the driver wants to settle things without involving the police, you need to ensure that the police create an official incident report.
Next, unless you need immediate medical attention, try to document the scene as best as you can. Take pictures of your injuries, damage to your bicycle, damage to the car door and where the vehicle was parked at the time of the accident. If any witnesses saw the accident happen, try to get a contact phone number or email address, as they can help to back up your claims.
We strongly urge you to stay on scene and receive medical care or seek out an evaluation the same day. Your adrenaline will be pumping after the accident, which will help to mask your pain. As the adrenaline fades, you’re going to feel more pain and soreness, so don’t assume that your small injuries will remain this way. Having your injuries documented by a medical professional again helps to create an official record, and going to the doctor soon after the incident helps to prove that the accident was the direct cause of your injuries.
Finally, you’re going to want to take all of this information and bring it to a personal injury law firm like the team at Hey Workers. They’ll be able to review all the evidence and determine the best way to present your case. Remember, it doesn’t matter whether or not the driver intended to hit you when they opened the door. While it may change how you pursue compensation, it doesn’t affect your ability to pursue compensation for damages and injuries. People get in car accidents all the time without intending to do so, but that doesn’t absolve them of fault or liability. Both you and the driver have insurance for this very reason, and we’ll help you pursue the right type of injury claim after looking closely at the facts of the case.
Getting doored can cause major injuries, leave you without a bicycle and even affect your ability to work, so don’t get left on the hook for all these expenses and lost wages. If you were injured by a driver opening their door, you need to seek legal action. Let the team at Hey Workers get you the compensation you deserve. For more information, or for help with a different type of personal injury claim, reach out to our team today at (844) 439-9675.
