As more and more people are choosing a healthier lifestyle and using bicycles to get around in the city, there has been a large increase in the number of car dooring accidents. Car dooring occurs when a car driver opens their door without first checking if it is clear and a bicycle rider either has to swerve into oncoming traffic or hit the open door. While there are often municipal laws in place to prevent such accidents, they still occur and are often accompanied by serious injuries.
At 844 See Mike, we represent clients in Illinois who have suffered personal injuries from a bicycle accident, as well as family members who have lost a loved one in a road accident caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of another person. We know that when a bicycle collides with a vehicle weighing at least 2,000 pounds, the odds are not in the cyclist’s favor and the results can be tragic.
Bicycle Dooring Laws
Bicycle dooring accidents are one of the most common types of bicycle-vehicle accidents, especially in urban areas. According to the League of American Bicyclists, forty states have enacted dooring laws because of the risks of dooring, but Chicago is one of the few cities that tracks its dooring accidents.
The Municipal Code of Chicago states:
“No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.”
If a driver opens their door and interferes with the movement of a bicycle they can be subject to a $150 fine. If their action causes a bicycle-vehicle collision, the driver may be subject to a fine of up to $1000.
House Bill 5143, which passed into law in January 2019, requires drivers to use the Dutch Reach Method before opening their door. This method involves the driver opening their door with their right hand, forcing them to look back to see if any bicycles are approaching. The law also added bike safety questions to the state driver’s license exam.
Bicycle Dooring Statistics
Chicago, which was deemed “America’s Best Bike City” by Bicycling Magazine in 2016, may be more bike-friendly, but it does not mean that dooring accidents are not common. In the most recent data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 2015 had 302 dooring accidents, which was an almost 50% increase from the last reportable year. While this number is down from the all-time reported high of 336 dooring accidents in 2011, it is obvious that more drivers need to be aware of bicycle safety to prevent serious injuries and damages, as 80% of these dooring accidents have resulted in injuries to the bicyclist.
If you or a loved one was involved in a dooring accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
It’s important to consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against a reckless or negligent driver. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact 844 See Mike, for a free consultation.
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