You are riding your bicycle or driving along a city street when, in an instant, a parked car door swings open directly into your path. There is no time to stop, no time to swerve, and the collision leaves you injured, shaken, and unsure of what comes next. These incidents, commonly called “dooring” accidents, happen far more often than most people realize, and the legal question of who bears responsibility is one that victims deserve to have answered clearly.
If you have been hurt in a dooring accident in California, our team at Callahan & Blaine, PC is prepared to help you pursue the compensation you are owed. With 29 attorneys dedicated to catastrophic personal injury litigation, we understand the serious physical and financial consequences these crashes can cause, and our personal injury practice areas reflect the depth of experience we bring to each case.
California Law Is Clear on Opening Car Doors
Under California Vehicle Code Section 22517, no person may open a vehicle door on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and will not interfere with the movement of traffic. This law applies equally to drivers and passengers. When someone flings open a car door without checking for approaching cyclists, motorcyclists, or other vehicles, they are violating a direct legal obligation, and that violation typically forms the foundation of a negligence claim.
In the vast majority of dooring cases, liability rests with the person who opened the door. Courts in California look at whether the door-opener exercised the caution a reasonably prudent person would have used before opening their door. Failing to check mirrors, rushing out of a vehicle, or failing to account for a dedicated bike lane are all factors that courts and insurance adjusters weigh heavily when assigning fault.
When Fault Can Be Shared
California follows a pure comparative negligence standard, which means that even if a victim contributed in some way to the crash, they may still recover damages, reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if a cyclist was traveling significantly above the speed limit and a court determined they were 20% at fault for the collision, their total recovery would be reduced by that percentage.
However, the door-opener’s responsibility does not disappear simply because the other party was also imperfect. An experienced attorney can build a strong argument against attempts by an insurance company to shift blame onto the victim. Evidence such as witness accounts, surveillance footage, police reports, and accident reconstruction can all help establish the true sequence of events. Like other negligence-based claims, such as distracted driving accidents or T-bone collisions, the details matter enormously.
What Victims Can Recover
Victims injured in dooring accidents may be entitled to compensation for a range of losses. These often include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care costs stemming from the crash
- Lost income: Wages lost during recovery, as well as future earning capacity if injuries result in a lasting disability
- Property damage: Compensation for a damaged bicycle, motorcycle, or vehicle
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on your daily life
This list is not exhaustive, and the right attorney will assess every dimension of your losses. Understanding who pays medical bills after a car accident in California is an important early step in protecting yourself after any crash. According to the CDC’s bicycle safety data, an estimated 120,000 emergency department visits annually result from non-fatal bicycle crash-related injuries, underscoring just how serious these collisions can become.
Hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter
When a careless driver or passenger causes a crash by opening a door into traffic, victims deserve representation that matches the seriousness of their injuries. Callahan & Blaine, PC has spent decades fighting on behalf of profoundly injured Californians against individuals, insurance companies, and large organizations that would prefer to minimize or deny what is owed. Our firm has earned recognition from Lawdragon as one of the leading plaintiff’s law firms in America, a distinction that speaks to our commitment to exceptional outcomes.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a dooring accident or any other collision caused by another party’s negligence, we encourage you to contact us to submit your potential case. Our team is ready to review the facts, explain your legal options, and stand by your side every step of the way.
