A dooring crash happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door into your path while you ride a bicycle. You may have only a second to stop or move out of the way. The crash could cause a head injury, broken bones, road rash or a second collision with another vehicle.
Maryland law generally prohibits drivers and passengers from opening a car door when in traffic. Your ability to recover compensation depends on the facts of the crash. Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which means that even a small share of fault would prevent you from recovering damages.
Maryland restricts opening car doors in traffic
Maryland law states you must not open a car door unless you can do so safely and without interfering with the movement of traffic. You may check for incoming vehicles or cyclists using mirrors. However, a shoulder check often gives a better view of a bike lane and nearby traffic.
During the accident, the timing of the door opening may show whether the other person took these steps. If the door opened just as you reached the vehicle, you might have had no safe way to avoid it. A door that remains open longer than needed is also a continuing hazard to cyclists.
Use evidence to support your injury claim
Look for details that support your account of the crash. Bike-lane lines could show where you are before impact. Photos might also reveal the vehicle’s distance from the curb, the door’s position and how much space you had to react.
Video from a dashcam or nearby camera may record the accident. A witness could describe the timing of the crash and what happened after the impact. Consider saving photos, witness contact details and damaged bike gear to help support your claim later on.
Preparing to file your case
A dooring crash often depends on a split-second decision and the choices each party made. Knowing which facts matter may help you assess what happened as you take the next formal steps in your bicycle injury claim.
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