Chicago dooring accidents occur when a car stops, and a driver or occupant of the vehicle suddenly opens one of the car’s doors directly into the path of a bicyclist. The door then blocks the bicyclist’s path, and the bicyclist doesn’t have time to avoid it. As a result, a crash occurs, and the bicyclist suffers injuries. These types of accidents occur throughout Chicago, and they’re perfectly preventable by both drivers and passengers if they just simply check for bicyclists before they open a car door.
Common Injuries Suffered in Dooring Crashes
Even the safest bicyclist in town can’t predict the actions of drivers and occupants of cars when cars are stopped or parked. In the event of an accident, other than maybe a helmet, bicyclists are completely exposed and vulnerable to serious injuries. Here are some examples of common injuries suffered by bicyclists in dooring crashes:
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck fractures and spinal cord fractures.
- Facial and dental fractures and injuries.
- Damage to internal organs.
- Shoulder, arm, wrist, hip, leg and ankle fractures.
- Displaced and herniated spinal discs.
- Serious cuts, road rash and infections.
The Frequency of Dooring Accidents is Increasing
Given current gasoline prices, the frequency of dooring accidents in Chicago is increasing. They often occur in locations where cars are parallel parked on street sides. A bicyclist might even swerve to avoid a car door that’s suddenly opening or open, but that can cause him or her to crash into another vehicle in the adjacent lane of traffic.
The Illinois and Chicago Dooring Laws
Illinois has enacted a statute that addresses the opening and closing of car doors, and it can be found at 625 ILCS 5/11-1407. In pertinent part, it states as follows; “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 . . . .” Chicago Municipal Code section 9-80-035 also addresses the opening and closing of car doors, and that ordinance is identical to the Illinois dooring statute. Both the Illinois statute and the Chicago ordinance exist because dooring accidents can cause serious injuries. Although it might not be immediately clear as to who was at fault for a dooring accident, bicyclists have both Illinois and Chicago law on their side.
What to Do After a Chicago Dooring Accident
After being injured as a bicyclist who was injured in a Chicago dooring accident, call 911 immediately. Ask that both police and paramedics be dispatched to the scene. Police can investigate the accident and write up a report and paramedics can document your injuries and take you to a nearby emergency room for diagnostics and treatment. Then, consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident lawyer right away.
Remember that as a bicyclist in Chicago, the general rule is that you have the same right to be on the road as the driver of a motor vehicle. In turn, that means you have the right to be compensated for the injuries and damages that you suffered in a dooring accident.