You are riding along, minding your own business, when a car door swings open right into your path with no warning at all. Have you ever wondered what your rights actually are after something like that happens? Getting “doored” is one of the most common ways cyclists get seriously hurt in Massachusetts cities, and it is almost always entirely preventable. If you or a loved one has been in a dooring accident in Massachusetts, you need legal support. We can help.
How a Dooring Crash Actually Happens
Dooring occurs when someone inside a parked car opens their door directly into the path of an approaching cyclist, giving the rider little to no time to react. Sometimes the cyclist strikes the door directly. Other times, the rider swerves to avoid the door and gets thrown into the path of moving traffic, which can turn a bad situation into a truly life-threatening one. According to the Boston Cyclists Union, dooring incidents have accounted for a significant share of reported bike crashes in Boston, making it one of the more common ways cyclists get hurt in dense, parked car lined neighborhoods.
The Injuries That Tend to Follow
Because a dooring crash happens suddenly and at close range, injuries can be severe even at relatively low speeds. Common injuries include head trauma and concussions, even when a helmet is worn, along with broken bones in the arms, shoulders, or collarbone from the impact itself. Lacerations from the sharp edges of a car door are common, as are soft tissue injuries like torn ligaments and significant bruising. If the cyclist gets thrown into traffic to avoid the door, the resulting injuries can escalate dramatically.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Massachusetts has a specific law addressing exactly this situation. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 14, no person may open a door on a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so without interfering with other traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians. This duty applies to anyone inside the vehicle, not just the driver, meaning a passenger who opens a door carelessly can be held responsible too. While a violation of this statute only carries a modest fine on its own, it also serves as strong evidence of negligence in a civil claim, since the law itself establishes exactly what a reasonable person is supposed to do before opening a door.
What to Do After You Get Doored
If you have been doored, a few steps can protect both your health and your legal options. Consider the following:
- Call 911 and request a police report, even if the crash feels minor at first
- Take photos of the vehicle, the door, your bike, and any visible injuries
- Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the crash
- Seek medical attention promptly, since some injuries do not show symptoms right away
- Avoid discussing fault with the driver or their insurance company before speaking with an attorney
Talk to Tetzel Law About Your Dooring Accident
Getting doored is not just bad luck. It is a preventable crash caused by someone’s carelessness, and Massachusetts law puts the responsibility squarely on the person who opened that door. Our Boston bicycle accident attorneys at Tetzel Law understand how to build these cases and hold negligent drivers and passengers accountable. Contact us online or call (617) 742-1700 today for a free consultation to discuss what happened and find out what your case may be worth.