Car door accidents injuring bicyclists are one of the most common bicycle injury types. The scenario takes place in this fashion. The most obvious is the bicyclist traveling down a street when a parked car motorist suddenly flings open the driver’s door into the path of the bicyclist. The door opening makes it unavoidable for a bicyclist to stop in time without making contact. The second type of car door accident is when a passenger suddenly opens a door on the right side of a car which is stopped in traffic. In both scenarios, the bicyclist hits the car door or window. The cyclist, on impact may fly over the top of the car door or crash into the open door and window. In both cases, bicyclists are unlikely to escape serious injury.
In car door accidents, bicyclists often sustain serious injuries ranging from broken limbs to head injuries and even death.
For safety purposes, it is important for bicyclists to ride their bikes defensively. That is to be most alert to the most common of motorist errors when it comes to bicyclists sharing the roads and streets. It may be possible in some cases to avoid driving into a suddenly opened car door. Bicyclists should view the wide range of area they are riding in to be aware of car that are both parked and moving where doors may suddenly open.
Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago, Illinois area bicycle accidents for more than 40 years. Attorney Robert Kreisman often speaks to lawyers and other groups regarding safety measures for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, truck drivers and other motorists. Bicyclists should be very aware that car door accidents are frequent occurrences on Chicago area streets and roadways.
Generally, ninety-five percent of Mr. Kreisman’s cases are settled outside of the courtroom, whether by negotiations with the other party’s insurer or through mediation or arbitration. Mr. Kreisman offers a free telephone consultation. The free consultation will include a discussion about your case, the facts and Illinois law that relates to it. These calls are welcomed to discuss the case details, the Chicago Municipal Ordinances, Illinois law on bike safety and a legal analysis of your case.
In any free consultation, a prospective client should also be aware of the advantages of settlement out-of-court compared to a jury trial. Damages that must be considered include the value lost time and money from your job, medical bills, past and in the future, pain and suffering experienced and that may be to be expected in the future because of the injuries. Disfigurement, scarring and loss of normal life are also damage issues to be considered in injury cases.
Car door accidents can cause very serious injuries. If you or someone you know or a loved one has been injured in a car door accident, please call us for an immediate free consultation. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 or complete a contact form online. We are able to give you a free and confidential evaluation of your case. There are no legal fees for this advice.