JONES LAW GROUPYour Lawyers for Life! Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Petersburg
What is a Dooring Accident? Dooring accidents happen without warning and can be dangerous or even deadly to riders. When a cyclist is utilizing the bike lane and a person exits a parked or stopped car without looking for, or noticing the approaching rider, often times the bicycle rider is unable to avoid running into […]
Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847
At Jones Law Group in St. Petersburg, FL, we would like to hear from you. Contact us for a free personal injury case consultation.
Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847
Get educated on the Florida's personal injury laws and more.
What is a Dooring Accident?
Dooring accidents happen without warning and can be dangerous or even deadly to riders. When a cyclist is utilizing the bike lane and a person exits a parked or stopped car without looking for, or noticing the approaching rider, often times the bicycle rider is unable to avoid running into the open car door. This is called being doored. There are numerous videos of cyclists being doored[1] and how quickly it can occur. The injuries suffered by bicyclists can be severe and include:
1. Death;
2. Traumatic brain injury and/or concussions;
3. Spinal cord damage and/or paralysis;
4. Disfigurement;
5. Fractured or broken bones;
6. Nerve damage;
7. Lacerations, contusions and road rash; and
8. Neck and back injuries.
Where are Riders Most at Risk to be Involved in a Dooring Accident?
Dooring accidents can happen on any road that has parallel parking or any location where someone is exiting a vehicle while still on the road. However, dooring accidents are much more common in downtown urban areas. This is because there is a higher concentration of motorists and bicyclists in a confined area. St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa all have areas in which cyclists must be ever alert for danger of being doored. As a general rule, it is best for cyclists to avoid these downtown areas when riding strictly for pleasure.
How Can You Avoid a Dooring Accident?
If you watched the video, you can see how quickly a dooring accident can occur. As a bicycle rider, you can do several things to avoid being involved in a dooring accident.
1. Stay out of the door zone. Keep enough distance between your bike and all cars to allow an inattentive driver room to open their door without striking you.
2. Wear bright colors and have a light on your bike, if riding at night.
3. Watch for people who are preparing to exit a vehicle.
4. Pay close attention to cabs.
5. Wearing saftety gear may not prevent a dooring accident, but it can certainly lessen the injuries suffered in one.
Whose Fault is a Dooring Accident?
Generally speaking, the occupants of a vehicle have a duty to make sure that it is safe to open a door prior to opening it. Therefore, if they fail to do and injure a biker then they may be liable for those injuries. Each case needs to be reviewed on a case by case basis. Do not simply allow a driver or even a police officer to blame you for a dooring accident if you feel you are not at fault. Make an appointment and one of the lawyers at Jones Law Group will be happy to analyze your case free of charge.
Contact Jones Law Group
Have you or a loved one been injured in a bicycle, pedestrian or car accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.
Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.
Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707
References:
Florida truck accidents caused by falling cargo can inflict catastrophic injuries and lead to multi-car pile-ups as drivers try to avoid collisions. Summary When cargo falls off of a semi-truck, it can directly hit other motorists or force them to swerve out of the way, which can lead to collisions. Additionally, the truck driver may […]
Truck accidents caused by poor weather, such as fog and rain can cause devastating accidents that result in life-changing injuries. Commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, meaning that the impact of a large truck on a much smaller passenger car, often only weighing a few thousand pounds, is astronomical, causing […]
Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance, unstable or unsecured loads, truck driver fatigue, reckless driving practices, and other forms of negligence contribute to the 8 types of truck accidents. Summary The types of injury that a victim suffers will often depend on the type of truck accidents they’re in. There are actually several different ways […]
Here’s a recap of what to expect when you meet a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. Summary Dealing with a personal injury can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding your legal rights and options. This is why a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer is an invaluable tool. At Jones […]
Any sort of catastrophic injury, no matter what happens to cause it, will typically result in a lifetime of pain, misery and debilitation. When that injury is due to someone else’s negligence, such as when the driver of a car hits a motorcycle, or a careless truck driver collides with a passenger vehicle, that can […]
Most Accidents Happen at Intersections 36% percent of all car crashes involve a vehicle turning left or crossing at an intersection.[1] This is, by far, the most common accident situation. The accident, if it does not involve a bicyclist or a pedestrian, will generally have one of two causes: 1. The car attempting to execute […]
Speak with us before time runs out! In Florida, you have a limited window to file a personal injury case, so speak to an Attorney today.
Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847
Jones Law Group is a dedicated personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area since 2006. Our experienced attorneys specialize in car accidents, slip and fall cases, employment law disputes, construction law issues, and overtime wage claims, fighting for maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847
© Copyright 2006–2025 Jones Law Group Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Attorney Advertising.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
We will gladly call you on your schedule.
Use the secure and confidential form below.
