There is a specific kind of anxiety that every urban cyclist knows. You are pedaling along, keeping pace with traffic or hugging the side of the road, when suddenly a car door swings open directly in your path. There is rarely time to brake. The resulting collision, known commonly as “dooring,” can result in catastrophic injuries, from broken collarbones to severe head trauma.
While these accidents are frighteningly common, the legal aftermath can be just as complicated as the crash itself. If you have been injured in a dooring accident while riding in the general travel lane, it is important to understand that you still have rights, and establishing driver fault is entirely possible with the right legal approach.
The Myth of the Mandatory Bike Lane
A common misconception among motorists is that bike lanes are mandatory cages for cyclists. Many drivers believe that if a bike lane exists, the cyclist must use it, no exceptions. Consequently, if a bike is hit while riding in the main road, the driver often argues that the victim “came out of nowhere” or was “riding illegally.”
In reality, traffic laws in most jurisdictions recognize that cyclists are legitimate road users with the right to use the full lane under various circumstances. Bike lanes are designed to facilitate traffic flow, not to trap cyclists in unsafe conditions.
Real-World Reasons for Leaving the Bike Lane
To prove the driver was at fault, we have to provide context for why the cyclist was in the main road to begin with. This is essential for dismantling the argument that the rider was being negligent. Anyone who rides in a city knows that a bike lane is rarely a clear, uninterrupted path; it is often an obstacle course.
Cyclists are frequently forced to merge into the flow of traffic to dodge common hazards like double-parked delivery trucks, construction barriers, or overflowing trash bins. Even when the lane is clear of vehicles, the pavement itself might be hazardous, riddled with deep potholes, loose gravel, or shattered glass that could cause a crash.
Furthermore, functional maneuvers, such as preparing for a left-hand turn, require a cyclist to leave the curb and cross lanes. Perhaps the most frustrating reality is that many bike lanes are painted directly within the swing radius of parked car doors. A savvy rider often realizes that the designated “safe” space is actually a trap, so they choose to ride the white line or take the full lane to maintain a safe buffer. When we explain these factors, the image of the cyclist changes. They are no longer seen as a rule-breaker, but as a prudent operator making reasonable choices to avoid danger.
The Driver’s Duty of Care
Regardless of where a cyclist is positioning themselves on the road, the primary burden of safety in a dooring accident almost always rests on the person opening the door. Traffic statutes generally state that: “no person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so”.
This “duty of care” means the driver (or passenger) must check their mirrors and look over their shoulder before unlatching the door. This duty does not vanish simply because a cyclist is three feet to the left of a painted line. If a driver fails to look, they are negligent.
Gathering the Right Evidence
Proving fault requires more than just your word against theirs. Because dooring accidents happen in the blink of an eye, physical evidence is key.
- The Point of Impact: Where the bike hit the door tells a story. If the cyclist hit the edge of the door as it was opening, it suggests the driver opened it at the very last second.
- Video Footage: Dashcams, surveillance cameras from nearby businesses, or traffic cameras can definitively prove the driver failed to look.
- Witness Statements: Pedestrians or other drivers can attest to whether the cyclist was visible and riding predictably.
Lawyers are adept at securing this evidence quickly before surveillance tapes are looped over or memories fade.
We Are Here to Help
Riding a bicycle should not be a life-or-death gamble. If you have been injured in a dooring accident, do not let an insurance company dictate the narrative just because you were riding outside the bike lane. The law protects you, and the obligation to look before exiting a vehicle remains absolute.
The team at The Mass Injury Group fights aggressively for injured riders. Don’t try to navigate this system alone. Reach out to us to discuss what happened.
Find us at 15 Broad St #800 Boston, MA 02109.
Or call now for a free consultation on (617) 263-0860.