Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
The person who opened the door is usually liable for a dooring bicycle accident in New York City. However, it’s possible for other parties to share responsibility for the incident based on the circumstances of the crash.
If you were injured in a dooring bicycle accident in New York City, you shouldn’t have to handle the process of determining liability on your own. Instead, contact a bicycle accident lawyer in New York at Shulman & Hill who can represent you and fight for a favorable outcome.
What Is a Dooring Accident?
A dooring accident occurs when someone opens the door of a parked or stopped vehicle into the path of an approaching bicyclist, causing a collision or forcing the cyclist to crash while trying to avoid the door.
Here’s who the person who opened the door might be:
- The driver
- A passenger
- A rideshare passenger
- A taxi passenger
- Someone exiting a delivery vehicle
- Another occupant of the vehicle
Although these crashes may seem straightforward, insurance companies often argue about exactly how the collision occurred and whether the cyclist could have avoided it. That’s why it helps to call an attorney at Shulman & Hill for help.
Who’s Liable for a Dooring Bicycle Accident?
One of the first questions injured cyclists ask is whether the person who opened the door is automatically responsible. While that individual is often an important part of the case, liability is not always limited to one person.
After you contact Shulman & Hill, our lawyers can conduct a careful investigation in an effort to identify which parties engaged in actions that contributed to the accident.
The Person Who Opened the Door
In many cases, the individual who opened the vehicle door may be liable if they failed to make sure it was safe before opening it. Examples include someone who acted in any of these ways:
- Opened the door without checking for approaching cyclists
- Opened the door directly into a bicycle lane
- Left the door open longer than necessary
- Failed to pay attention to surrounding traffic
Whether the person was the driver or a passenger, everyone has a duty to exercise reasonable care before opening a vehicle door into traffic.
The Driver of the Vehicle
Sometimes the driver may also share responsibility, even if someone else opened the door. For example, liability may become an issue if the driver engaged in these behaviors:
- Parked illegally
- Stopped in an unsafe location
- Failed to warn passengers about approaching cyclists
- Suddenly stopped without allowing surrounding traffic to react safely
Every situation is different, so it’s important to review the details of what happened before deciding who’s to blame.
Taxi and Rideshare Occupants
Dooring accidents frequently involve taxis and rideshare vehicles because passengers often exit quickly after reaching their destination. A passenger who suddenly opens a door into an active bicycle lane may be responsible for causing the crash.
What If Insurance Companies Say You Were Partially at Fault?
Many injured cyclists are surprised when an insurance company argues they were somehow responsible for their own injuries. Here’s what adjusters often claim the injured cyclist was doing prior to the incident:
- Riding too close to parked vehicles
- Traveling too fast
- Distracted
- Ignoring traffic conditions
- Outside the bicycle lane
- Not paying proper attention
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means an injured person may still recover damages even if they were partially responsible for the accident. However, compensation may be reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault.
Because insurers frequently try to assign blame to cyclists, having evidence that clearly explains how the collision occurred can make a significant difference. Cyclists may also have questions about how New York’s no-fault insurance system applies after a crash.
In addition to contacting Shulman & Hill for legal help, the New York Department of Financial Services also provides consumer FAQs about no-fault insurance that explain how this coverage works.
Evidence That Can Help Prove Your Dooring Accident Claim
These are examples of evidence that can strengthen your bicycle accident claim:
- Police reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Pictures of the vehicle door and bicycle damage
- Surveillance camera footage
- Dash camera recordings
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Emergency room documentation
- Professional accident reconstruction analysis
- Vehicle location information when available
With Shulman & Hill by your side, our attorneys can start collecting this evidence before it is lost.
What Compensation Is Available?
Many injured cyclists underestimate the true financial impact of a serious bicycle accident. Medical bills are often only one piece of the overall loss. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may also address the ways the accident has affected your everyday life.
This is what a successful claim can include compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Rehabilitation costs
- Bicycle replacement or repair
- Loss of enjoyment of life
At Shulman & Hill, we understand that the value of every claim depends on the specific injuries, available insurance coverage, and evidence supporting liability.
Call Shulman & Hill to Identify Who’s Liable for a Dooring Bicycle Accident in New York City
If you’ve been injured in a dooring bicycle accident, you shouldn’t have to find your way through the legal process by yourself, let alone determine who’s liable for your injuries. Instead, turn to Shulman & Hill for representation and advocacy.
We can answer any questions you have regarding liability, coverage, and compensation. Our attorneys understand how insurance companies investigate bicycle accident claims, evaluate settlement offers, and defend lawsuits involving serious injuries.
This background makes it possible for us to anticipate common defense strategies and prepare your case so that it’s ready for potentially challenging disputes. Founded in 2013, we’ve helped over 26,000 clients, and we’re here for you, too. New York, We Got You.
