New Jersey Dooring Accident Attorneys
Dooring Accident Lawyers Fighting for Cyclists Rights in Lawrence, Princeton, Trenton, Hamilton, Mercer County, and Greater New Jersey
You may never put much thought into “dooring” accidents until you are involved in one that damages your property and/or causes you bodily injuries. A dooring accident occurs when an individual unsafely opens the door to their vehicle without checking for oncoming traffic, including motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters, resulting in an accident. These types of accidents, which are particularly prevalent in urban areas, can result in minor to catastrophic injuries.
If you were injured or suffered damage to your vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, or any other type of property as a result of another individual carelessly opening their car door into your path of travel, then you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Seek the depth of legal insight of Cohen & Rielchelson‘s skilled team of New Jersey dooring injury lawyers today. We serve injury victims throughout New Jersey, including in New Brunswick, Robbinsville, Princeton, West Windsor, Hightstown, Mercer County, and Burlington County. Reach out to us today at (609) 528-2596 or complete our online contact form to discover how our legal team can support you with your claim for full damages.
Understanding Dooring Accidents as a Dangerous Traffic Maneuver
Ah, the English language, where we love to turn just about anything into a verb. A “dooring” accident, for example, is, simply put, an accident involving the negligent opening of a door, typically into a path of traffic. The door is typically opened by the driver of a parked vehicle or a passenger riding in the backseat on the driver’s side, hitting a bicyclist or even another vehicle that is in the far right lane. It is also possible for someone on the passenger’s side of the car to be the culprit in a dooring accident if there is a bike path to the right of where the car is parked.
Without looking behind them first to check for oncoming traffic, the negligent individual in a dooring accident suddenly opens their door, leaving oncoming traffic with inadequate time to avoid hitting the car door. The surprise appearance of a door in the path of other motor vehicles may cause them to have to swerve to avoid a collision with the door and, in doing so, result in a collision with another vehicle.
The significant damage and serious injuries that can result from a dooring accident demonstrate that even what seems like a small mistake – the decision to open one’s door without looking behind them – can lead to serious consequences.
Potential for Serious Injuries in NJ Dooring Accidents
Head injuries are unfortunately common in dooring accidents. These can include concussions and even traumatic brain injuries if the impact on the victims is significant or if they are thrown off their bikes, hitting their heads on the pavement. Even though concussions are a mild form of TBI, they can still cause significant side effects like dizziness, headaches, and memory problems. Extremely severe TBIs can be fatal or result in permanent disability. Other severe injuries can include spinal injuries and internal bleeding.
While attempting to brace themselves for impact when a door suddenly opens in their path or attempting to break their fall, bicyclists may suffer wrist, arm, and/or collarbone fractures, as well as fractures elsewhere on the body.
In addition to bone fractures, dooring accident victims can experience lacerations, abrasions, and soft tissue injuries like strains or sprains.
Simple Techniques to Prevent Dooring Accidents
There are a few simple safety measures that a driver can take to avoid dooring accidents. These include always checking their mirrors and over their shoulder to see any blindspots to ensure there are no bicyclists or motorists coming before opening the door. To help remember those things, drivers can try to make it a habit to use their right hand (or the hand farthest away from the door) to reach across their bodies and open the door. This will naturally cause them to turn their bodies and remind them to look for any oncoming traffic.
Cyclists can also employ some helpful strategies to avoid dooring accidents, like riding a safe distance away from any parked cars (further to the left or the right, depending on the circumstances. It is also prudent to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen by motorists and use lights if you will be riding near or after dusk.
Proving Fault in a Dooring Accident in NJ
Every driver in New Jersey has a legal duty to operate their vehicle as a reasonably prudent driver under the circumstances. Even under this standard, it would be easy to establish that opening a car door into a path of traffic or a bike lane while turning back to look first is negligent behavior. If you are injured in a dooring accident, in order to recover compensation for your injuries, you must establish that the defendant deviated from the standard of care by failing to act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances. Then, you must show that this failure was the direct and proximate cause of your damages and injuries. Finally, you must prove the nature and extent of your injuries and any other damages like property damage or lost wages from time off from work due to your injuries.
Get Help with Your Claim for Injuries from a Dooring Accident in New Jersey with Cohen & Riechelson
When you find yourself the victim of a dooring accident, an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer at Cohen & Rielchelson can help by determining which party is liable for your damages and how much compensation you may be entitled to recover. Your total damages may be greater than your medical bills if you also will need future medical care for injuries caused by the accident, you had to take time off from work due to your injuries, or you suffered any temporary or permanent disability as a result of the accident.
For a complimentary review of your case, contact our team today. With local offices in Hamilton, we serve injury victims throughout Trenton, Titusville, East Brunswick, Carteret, Woodbridge, Ewing, Hopewell, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Burlington County, and New Jersey. Call (609) 528-2596 today to learn more.
