Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are very common traumas that bicyclists sustain. This type of damage can seriously impact the cyclist’s cognitive functions and become a source of lasting impairment.
Nationally Recognized
Bicycle Dooring Accident Attorney
A suddenly opened car door can change your life in an instant. Our bicycle dooring accident attorneys will ensure you get a fair settlement for your injuries, expenses, and suffering!
We will do our best to reach you out as soon as possible
For urgent queries please call
888-521-6377
What is
What Is a Bicycle Dooring Accident?
Usually, there are two main parties involved in bicycle dooring accidents — a cyclist and a car driver or passengers. When a driver in a parked car opens the door disregarding the ongoing road situation, it may lead to a direct collision with a bicyclist or trigger a related traffic incident.
Cyclists most often get struck by vehicle doors or are hit by other vehicles when they try to avert from the moving traffic and lose control of their bikes or sway from the bicycle lane. Dooring accidents occur as a result of other people’s inattentiveness rather than recklessness, but they lead to serious injuries and, sometimes, deaths.
injures
What Are the Most Common Dooring Accident Injuries?
Many bicycle riders suffer serious injuries after colliding with the side door of the vehicle. Some of them require costly medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation.
Head traumas
Fractures
Frequently, cyclists are flung over their bicycles, and the harsh impact on the road or pavement becomes the cause of broken bones and severe fractures that affect their mobility and require long-term recovery.
Dental damage
When a cyclist falls forward, their face often absorbs serious impact from the contact with the ground. All sorts of lacerations, cuts, and damaged teeth are the most likely outcome of such a door collision.
Facial Injuries
Even well-protected riders have exposed areas that are prone to skin abrasions. Road rash may not sound like a serious injury, but it can be excruciating and become the source of severe infections if not tended to properly.
Chest Injuries
Cyclists involved in crashes, especially in high-impact and high-speed incidence or when colliding with a vehicle. They range from broken ribs to bruised lungs to internal organs.
Spinal injuries
Serious open car door crashes that involve a cyclist can lead to back injuries, which sometimes result in chronic pain, extensive rehabilitation period, and even paralysis.
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Who is responsible
Who Is the At-Fault Party in a Car Door Accident?
Upon first glance at a personal injury claim that revolves around a bike accident, it may seem that the responsible party is more than evident — vehicle occupants. However, an experienced bike attorney will tell you that things are not always as black and white as they seem.
Sometimes, there may be more than a single liable party involved in the door accident. Before the claimant’s request is satisfied and the injured party receives full compensation for their pain and suffering, a few critical factors are evaluated:
- How was the car parked? Some vehicles that result in bike crashes are parked illegally, which can be a complicating factor.
- Did the driver see oncoming cyclists? In case the driver or a passenger were distracted and opened doors without checking the bike lane, they may be found liable for the accident.
- Did the cyclist abide by all the rules? If a cyclist wasn’t riding in a reasonably safe way, was away from the bike lane, or disregarded the moving traffic laws, they would be deemed responsible for the door incident.
- Did the bicyclist drive a protected bike? Bicycles that are improperly equipped, for instance, have missing lights, malfunctioning brakes, broken mirrors or reflectors, or any other faulty critical details, may not be subject to a rightful settlement.
How it works
How Can A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Case?
A bicycle accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in several key ways. They will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
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Local legal expertise
Each state is subject to a particular legal system. What serves as solid proof of negligence in Chicago, IL may be deemed insufficient in Los Angeles, CA. For instance, some states make it mandatory to wear helmets, while others don’t. A trained bicycle accident attorney who’s aware of such bicycle law intricacies will help you build a strong case that results in full financial compensation for the damage sustained.
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Insurance company negotiations
Most insurance providers aim to settle for as minimal reimbursement as possible. A qualified legal representative will negotiate with insurance companies to secure maximum reimbursement for the pain and suffering you’ve endured, including past and future expenses.
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Access to evidence
Some pieces of evidence may be inaccessible to the claimant, while an experienced personal injury lawyer will assess all available resources. This includes but is not limited to witness statements, official reports, surveillance footage, and more.
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Court representation
In case your claim gets rejected, a trusted door injury attorney will assist you or your family in transforming it into a lawsuit and defend your rights in court, ensuring that you receive the settlement you deserve.
Settlements
Our Settlements
Our experienced attorneys work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable and ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve for medical expenses.
Benefits
How to choose a bicycle dooring accident attorney?
When it comes to navigating the complexities of bike accident cases, having the right legal team by your side can make all the difference. Here’s why we stand out as your best choice:
Specialization in Dooring Accidents
Choose bicycle accident lawyers who focus on this legal field — they can skillfully untangle the intricacies of the most complex bike accidents.
Extensive Experience
Look for a legal representative who has been working on bike accident claims for an extended period.
Proven Case Results
Inquire about the law firm’s success rate and proof of positive outcomes with maximum settlements.
Expertise in Bicycle Laws
Make sure that a chosen bicycle attorney knows all the ins and outs of the local law because different states have different approaches to bicycle-related regulations.
Example
Main Types of Damage to Recover in Dooring Bicycle Accidents
Each door accident is unique and inflicts a varying scale of damage on the person involved. Based on the severity of the injury, liability, state laws, and other details, the vehicle door incident victims can claim three main types of damages:
- Economic
- Non-economic
- Punitive
Economic damages are a monetary recovery you can request to cover the expenses triggered by the collision. Non-economic damages are less quantifiable since they revolve around the physical and emotional consequences of the door incident.
Lastly, punitive damages, being the rarest of all, are exemplary measures taken to punish the people responsible for the crash and potentially prevent such instances from taking place in the future.
Medical Bills
Even seemingly mild physical damage can lead to piling medical bills. The cost of every surgery, prescription, and medical treatment can and should be recovered in after the accident. This refers to past, ongoing, and future expenses, including but not limited to equipment, medications, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages
When you miss out on work because of the sustained trauma, you are due for a fair settlement. Whether it is the temporary loss of earning capacity or a permanent decrease in working abilities, everything should be reimbursed by the liable person or persons.
Pain and Suffering
Emotional distress, PTSD, physical discomfort, and overall loss of joy in life can’t be measured in a precise monetary equivalent. However, a skilled legal representative will help you calculate them so that you can receive a rightful reimbursement for the suffering you’ve endured.
Disfigurment
Some bike collisions are severe enough to leave the victims scarred for life. Whether it is disfigurement or any other permanent physical change, the bicyclist is usually eligible for additional financial compensation.
Property damage
If your bicycle, helmet, or any other gear has been damaged in the accident, the costs of the repairs or the total replacement of the damaged property should also be included in the compensation.
Costs
How much does a Dooring Bicycle Accident Lawyer Costs?
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), a lawyer’s contingency fee is often one-third (or 33%) of the recovery. If you end up filing a lawsuit, the cost will usually be higher.
Personal injury lawyers handle bicycle accident claims. Most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee:
- You only pay your lawyer if they handle your case successfully.
- The lawyer accepts a fixed portion of your settlement as their payment.
- If you don’t win a settlement, your lawyer does not receive payment.
Most bicycle accident lawyers have a fee between 33% and 40% of what they win you. The fee is usually 33% if you settle through a personal injury claim. If you need to file a lawsuit, the contingency fee will be closer to 40%.
Always discuss a lawyer’s costs in advance of hiring them. Your lawyer will provide a contingency fee agreement explaining their pricing. Do not continue with a case until you’re clear on the lawyer’s legal fees and other costs.
no need to wait!
Contact our Dooring Bicycle Accident Attorneys Now!
If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from a preventable birth injury, knowing your legal options is important.
A cerebral palsy attorney from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you seek financial compensation for medical bills and therapies your child needs. Doing so can help your child enjoy a better quality of life and reach his or her full potential.
Contact us now to discuss your case with a qualified attorney who can answer your questions.
Ready to Get Started?
Don’t miss the chance to get the compensation for your injuries. Start a FREE case evaluation now to know how much you can get!
Free Evaluation
Get a FREE case evaluation today
If you’re a cyclist who has been in an accident, call today for a free initial consult about your legal claim. We’re here to help with your legal questions. Contact our law firm for coast-to-coast bike accident and personal injury representation.
Call us now at:
888-521-6377
We will do our best to reach you out as soon as possible
For urgent queries please call
888-521-6377
FAQ
Any questions?
Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
How Long Will My Bicycle Door Accident Case Take to Resolve?
Most cases are resolved within a few months, but some take years to settle. Such factors as case complexity, the severity of your traumas, requested insurance coverage, and parties involved will affect its duration.
Can I Settle a Case Without a Lawyer?
Short answer — yes, you can. However, it can be difficult to negotiate a fair settlement recovery by yourself. The insurers will likely try to convince you to accept a quick lowball offer. On the other hand, trained legal experts will help you maximize the reimbursement.
What Is the Average Bicycle Dooring Accident Settlement in the US?
Settlement amounts for bicycle accidents range from $15,000 to $50,000, but there are cases of higher awards. Health consequences and losses play a significant part in establishing the amount you are due.