Getting Doored on a Bike

So, you’re riding your bike through the city, minding your business and obeying bike traffic laws, when all of a sudden–next thing you know, you’re on your back in the middle of the street. You’re injured, and your bike is destroyed. What could’ve happened? You just got doored.

If you’re unfamiliar with what dooring is, it’s when you’re riding your bike next to parked cars, and someone in one of those cars neglects to check for traffic before opening their door (it can be either on the passenger or driver side). At that point, with little to no time to react and nowhere to go (swerving into car traffic isn’t an appealing option), the cyclist crashes into the open door or is hit while a door is opening. You can even be stopped at a traffic light and get doored by a driver or passenger who merely isn’t paying any attention when they fling open their door.

What to Do If You’re Doored

Get medical attention right away. It doesn’t matter if you think those injuries are small. Call 911 and get looked at by a medical professional immediately. You may have more underlying issues that just aren’t immediately apparent.

What seemingly appears to be a very minor injury may actually be serious beneath the surface. If you check out fine, great! But if something more serious is detected, it’s greatly beneficial for your well-being and also any potential legal case you might want to pursue against the negligent door-opener.

If you don’t get emergency help, call your personal doctor as soon as possible to be examined. Then contact the seasoned and experienced Washington, DC, and Maryland personal injury and bike accident attorneys at The Lapidus Law Firm.