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Better awareness of surrounding traffic could cut down on a significant number of accidents. For example, distracted drivers in Illinois tend not to notice bicyclists until it is too late, if at all. Poor awareness may result in mishaps that cause injury, including “dooring” incidents. Drivers need to be more careful when opening a car door on a busy street.
Dooring incidents in Chicago
Carelessly opening a car door without looking presents hazards for many bicyclists who travel down Chicago streets. Cyclists and drivers alike may want to drive defensively to avoid any accidents. Such care should extend to exiting a parked car, too.
In the fall of 2021, a rideshare passenger inside an SUV opened the vehicle’s door while it stopped in a bike lane. A cyclist traveled through the bike lane just as the door opened, and the cyclist hit the door and crashed into a parked vehicle, suffering severe facial injuries. The incident is one example of how dangerous dooring is.
The potentially deadly dangers of dooring
Severe facial injuries and broken bones generate pain and suffering along with medical bills. Some bicyclists might be quite lucky to survive. Bicycle accidents could lead to fatal head injuries. Survivors may deal with life-changing traumatic brain injuries as well.
Drivers are not the only ones who could be negligent. A bicyclist who violates safety laws could share some or all the blame. Riding in the wrong direction or speeding on the sidewalk could leave the bicyclist facing a liability claim if he or she hurts someone exiting a vehicle. Ultimately, whoever caused the accident may face a lawsuit for the resulting injuries.