Motorcycle accidents happen for a variety of reasons—but most are caused by the negligence of other car drivers who fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists. Not only do drivers cause accidents when on the road, they can cause them while parked as well. Under Florida law, a driver can only open their car door when it is reasonably safe to do so, and it will not interfere with other traffic. When a driver is negligent and opens their door without checking for nearby traffic, an open car door injury, also known as a dooring injury, can occur and cause serious, sometimes fatal injuries to the rider. 
Motorcycles and Dooring Accident Injuries
A driver in a parked car often opens their door quickly or suddenly, giving a motorcycle rider little time to react to avoid a collision. The rider may be thrown off their motorcycle upon impact or forced to swerve into traffic and collide with other vehicles to miss the car door. When this type of accident occurs, serious injuries can result, including:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Road rash and lacerations
- Amputation
- Wrongful death
Proving Fault and Recovering Damages
To recover damages from a dooring accident, you must determine who’s liable for the crash. In many dooring accidents, the person who opened the car door will be held responsible for damages. In Florida, drivers have the following duties when opening their car door:
- A car door cannot be opened unless it is considered safe to do so, and it does not interfere with traffic movement.
- A car door cannot be left open on the side facing moving traffic longer than necessary to let passengers enter and exit the vehicle.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to find an experienced attorney to represent you, so you have the best chance of obtaining a fair settlement. An attorney can do the following:
- Collect evidence from the accident scene
- Examine and investigate the cause of the accident
- Determine liability
- Calculate the value of your case
- Negotiate with insurance companies
After a dooring accident, you may receive compensation for your injuries, including recovery for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
Contact Us
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Florida, reach out to Browning Law Firm for a free consultation. To schedule an appointment with our legal team, contact us online, or call us today.
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