This article explains the liability of California bicycle ‘dooring’ accidents, where cyclists are injured by opening car doors. It details how negligence is determined, with the person opening the door generally at fault, but also discusses situations where the cyclist may share responsibility.
GJEL Accident Attorneys highlight the types of compensation available and their experience in handling such cases. Contact them for a free case evaluation.
California Bicycle Dooring Accidents: Who’s Liable? (GJEL Accident Attorneys)
- Injured by a Car Door While Biking? Get the Compensation You Deserve.
- Driver or Passenger at Fault? We Fight for Cyclist Rights.
- Free Consultation: Protect Your Rights with a Knowledgeable Attorney.
Read the full article for a California personal injury attorney’s in-depth explanation of fault and compensation in bicycle “dooring” accidents. Learn the legal standards, how negligence applies, and how GJEL Accident Attorneys can help you recover damages.
It may sound odd if you do not regularly ride a bike in urban areas, but a car door can be a lethal weapon. A driver or vehicle passenger suddenly opening a car door as you ride by can lead to a truly devastating bike accident injury. This type of accident is often referred to as ‘getting doored.’
Car door-related bike accidents are far more common than many people realize. Indeed, according to data collected and published by the League of American Bicyclists, approximately eight percent of all bike accidents occur due to a biker ‘getting doored.’ This leads to an important question: If someone opens a door while you’re riding by on your bicycle, the question becomes, “Who is at fault.”
‘Getting Doored’ – Whose Fault is it?
The Legal Standard
California is a comparative fault jurisdiction. This was firmly established in the 1975 state Supreme Court case of Li v. Yellow Cab Co. In the state, liability for personal injury claims, including all bicycle accident claims, must be established by proving negligence. The party whose unsafe actions caused the accident will be legally responsible for any consequential damages. Of course, this is a fairly vague standard. Bike victims must understand how it applies to their accident cases.
California Vehicle Code Section 22517 also directly applies to many bicycle dooring accidents. It says no person shall open a vehicle door on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with moving traffic. In practice, that moving traffic includes bicyclists riding alongside parked cars.
‘Getting Doored’ and Negligence
In California, as a general rule, these accidents are the fault of the driver or passenger who opens the car door. The primary reason is that the person who opens a door is responsible for checking their rearview mirrors and turning their head to ensure the road is clear before they step out of their vehicle.
Obviously, it is not even remotely feasible for bicyclists, who may ride past hundreds of parked cars in the busy city streets in an hour, to carefully look into each automobile to ensure the doors are not opening.
When a driver or passenger fails to look for an approaching cyclist before opening a door, that conduct will often be treated as a breach of the duty of care. That breach can be strong evidence of negligence in an injury claim.
Bicyclists Have Legal Duties as Well
That being said, this is only a general rule. In some cases, a bicyclist may be found to be partially (or fully) at fault for the accident in which they got doored. For instance, if the bicyclist sees the car pull over, sees the brake lights, and is riding very close to the car as they see the person getting out, then a judge or a jury will probably say it’s the bicycle rider’s fault. This is because, in this scenario, it may be determined that the biker should have known better and that their actions were unreasonable and unsafe.
Comparative fault may also become an issue if the cyclist was riding distracted, moving unsafely around traffic, or otherwise failing to use reasonable care. Even so, partial fault does not automatically bar recovery in California. It usually means the injured cyclist’s compensation may be reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
Compensation Available to Bicycle Accident Victims
If you were injured by a car door while riding in Northern California, you deserve compensation for the full extent of your damages. Depending on the specific facts of your claim, our team may be able to help you seek financial relief for:
- Any damage to your bike
- Emergency medical expenses
- Other hospital bills
- Lost wages, including diminished earning power
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment
Compensation may also include the cost to repair or replace other damaged property, such as a helmet, phone, clothing, or cycling gear. In serious cases, an injured rider may also seek damages for future medical treatment, physical therapy, permanent disability, emotional distress, and other long-term effects of the crash.
Evidence That Can Help Prove a Dooring Claim
Strong evidence can make a major difference in a bicycle dooring case. Helpful evidence often includes the police report, photographs of the accident scene, pictures of the vehicle and open door, damage to the bicycle, witness statements, and medical records that connect the injuries to the collision. If possible, injured cyclists should also try to identify the driver, passenger, vehicle owner, and any available insurance information.
We Have Experience Handling ‘Getting Doored’ Bicycle Accidents in California
Any party whose negligence contributed to an accident should be legally liable for any resulting injuries or damages. If the car has been pulled over for a while, there are no brake lights, and a person suddenly flings their door open, they should be held at fault for any accident caused by their unsafe actions.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’ve handled a number of cases of bicyclists getting doored. For example, in one such case, we helped an injured California cyclist obtain $195,000 in compensation after he was doored by an exiting motorist.
If you were hurt in this accident, please contact our main office in Orinda, CA, today. We can help you determine whether you have a case in which we can help–at no charge to you.
Understanding liability in bicycle “dooring” accidents is crucial for cyclists seeking compensation in California. While the general rule holds the person opening the car door responsible, the state’s comparative fault system introduces nuances that require careful consideration.
Navigating these complexities necessitates the expertise of experienced attorneys who understand California’s comparative fault standards, and consulting with a skilled bike crash attorney can help you build a strong claim for fair compensation. GJEL Accident Attorneys’ proven track record in handling such cases demonstrates their commitment to protecting the rights of injured cyclists and securing the financial relief they deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a “dooring” accident, don’t delay seeking legal counsel. A free consultation with GJEL Accident Attorneys can clarify your rights and options. Their team will meticulously evaluate your case, gather essential evidence, and fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation necessary to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Take the first step towards recovery and justice by contacting GJEL Accident Attorneys today.
Written by Andy Gillin. Last Updated 03/18/2025
