Dooring Accidents

Written by: Tyrone J. Maho

A motorcycle is an exciting and liberating vehicle for a number of reasons, among which are the feeling of the wind on the rider’s face and the superior mobility a motorcycle affords the rider. However, a motorcycle can be a dangerous vehicle for many reasons, one of which is the lack of protection for the rider. Some of the dangers riders face are well known, most of which are caused by drivers not noticing that a motorcycle is nearby. These can include left-hand turn accidents— also known as left hook accidents, and lane change accidents where a driver does not notice that a motorcycle is in the lane in which they are merging.

One of the less well-known types of motorcycle accidents is called a dooring accident. They might not be as common as other types of motorcycle accidents, but they can be just as dangerous. Fortunately, the motorcycle rider does not have to pay for all of the expenses caused by the dooring accident out of their own pocket. The reason is that such an accident is nearly always going to be considered the fault of the driver who caused the accident, which means that the rider is entitled to receive compensation from the insurance company of the driver.

If a motorcycle rider wants the best chance of receiving the compensation that they need, then they should contact a personal injury lawyer for help. And if you were in a dooring accident that took place in Santa Barbara, then you should contact Maho Prentice, LLP. We are a law firm that covers multiple practice areas, including motorcycle accidents, so any one of our highly experienced attorneys will be able to help you with your dooring accident. Our attorneys will help you and guide you through every stage of the process, from filing your injury claim to calculating all of the expenses caused by accident to negotiating with the insurance company so that they offer you a fair settlement. So if you were in a dooring accident in Santa Barbara, then contact Maho Prentice, LLP to get the help you need.

What is a Dooring Accident?

A dooring accident is one where the driver or passenger of a car that is parked on the side of the road opens their door in the path of an oncoming motorcycle. This can be very dangerous because the motorcyclist is unlikely to have enough time to avoid the suddenly opened door, which can lead to them colliding with the door and getting launched over it onto the pavement. 

That could end up causing severe injuries to the rider because they could end up with broken bones in vital areas like their back or neck. A dooring accident could also lead to concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, road rash, which is a severe form of bruising that could lead to nerve damage, as well as lacerations and bleeding.

The Reasons Why Dooring Accidents Happen

Dooring accidents are usually associated with bicycles, but they are a danger to motorcyclists as well. In fact, they can be more dangerous to motorcyclists because they are traveling at faster speeds than cyclists, so the collisions are likely to be much more violent. The following are some of the reasons why dooring accidents happen to motorcyclists:

• The driver does not check their mirrors before exiting their vehicle. It is common knowledge that drivers should check their mirrors carefully when driving because a motorcyclist could end up in their blind spot. However, they should also check their mirrors when they are parked as well because a motorcycle could be approaching them. If a driver fails to check if a motorcycle is oncoming before opening their door, then that could cause an accident.
• The driver is inattentive to motorcyclists that are turning right. Motorcyclists have to hug the right side of the road more tightly when they make a right turn. So a driver who is parked near a corner has to exercise more caution when they open their door because a turning motorcyclist could be approaching them. 
• Cars that are parked illegally. If a car is parked in a place where it is not supposed to be, then a motorcyclist may not expect that they have to avoid a suddenly opened door. The driver may also not be looking out for approaching motorcyclists if they are parked illegally.
• Poor weather conditions. Ice, snow, or fog can cause poor visibility, which means that a driver may not be able to notice an oncoming motorcycle unless they are very careful. There is also the fact that drivers exiting their vehicles in inclement weather may be in a hurry and may not check for approaching vehicles as carefully as they should.
• Bad road conditions. There are cases where a dangerous condition in the road, like a pothole or debris, could cause a motorcyclist to ride close to a parked car in order to avoid it. Drivers should take note of any such conditions when they park so that they do not cause an accident for an approaching motorcycle rider.

Contact Maho Prentice, LLC If You Were Hurt in a Dooring Accident

A dooring accident can cause a lot of damage to the rider and their motorcycle, which is why the rider will need compensation to pay for the expenses caused by the accident. Motorcycle riders stand a good chance of getting that compensation because a dooring accident is nearly always the fault of the person in the parked car. That means it will be difficult to pin the blame on the motorcycle rider. But if a motorcycle rider in Santa Barbara wants the best chance of getting the compensation that they need, they should contact us at Maho Prentice, LLC.

We are a personal injury law firm with highly experienced and knowledgeable attorneys who can help you with your dooring accident. We know that a dooring accident can leave the rider with both special and general damages that they need to take care of. Special damages are the ones that have a measurable monetary value like medical bills or repair costs. While general damages are for things like pain and suffering or emotional trauma. At Maho Prentice, LLP, we know that both kinds of damages are important, which is why we will fight to get you compensated for all of them.

So if you were injured in a dooring accident in Santa Barbara, then contact Maho Prentice, LLP to get the help that you need.