Dooring is when a driver of a motor vehicle is stopped on the side of the road and opens their door without first checking if any pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers are approaching. For cyclists, this can be extremely dangerous as they are often left with only two outcomes, quickly and without notice swerve into traffic to avoid hitting the door, or if there is no time, cyclists often strike the door, usually getting thrown from their bicycle and suffering serious injuries and even death.
At Mike Agruss Law, we represent clients in Illinois who have suffered personal injuries from a bicycle accident, as well as family members who have lost a loved one in a road accident caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of another person. We know that when a bicycle collides with a vehicle weighing at least 2,000 pounds, the odds are not in the cyclist’s favor and the results can be tragic.
Chicago Dooring Statistics
Chicago, which was deemed “America’s Best Bike City” by Bicycling Magazine in 2016, may be more bike-friendly, but it does not mean that dooring accidents are not common. In the most recent data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 2015 had 302 dooring accidents, which was an almost 50% increase from the last reportable year.
While this number is down from the all-time reported high of 336 dooring accidents in 2011, it is obvious that more drivers need to be aware of bicycle safety to prevent serious injuries and damages, as 80% of these dooring accidents have resulted in injuries to the bicyclist.
Chicago Dooring Laws
Bicycle dooring accidents are one of the most common types of bicycle-vehicle accidents, especially in urban areas. Chicago has specific laws regarding dooring and in an effort to encourage cycling, more than 100 miles of bike lanes have been installed and fines were raised for dooring in 2013.
The Municipal Code of Chicago states:
“No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.”
If a driver opens their door and interferes with the movement of a bicycle they can be subject to a $150 fine. If their action causes a bicycle-vehicle collision, the driver may be subject to a fine of up to $1000, an increase from the previous fine of $500.
House Bill 5143, which passed into law in January 2019, requires drivers to use the Dutch Reach Method before opening their door. This method involves the driver opening their door with their right hand, forcing them to look back to see if any bicycles are approaching. The law also added bike safety questions to the state driver’s license exam.
If you or a loved one was involved in a dooring accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
It’s important to consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against a reckless or negligent driver. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact Mike Agruss Law, for a free consultation.
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