Dooring accidents are a serious and often overlooked cause of injury on city streets. In dense urban areas with heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and a large number of cyclists, the simple act of opening a vehicle door can lead to devastating consequences. For bicyclists and motorcyclists traveling alongside parked cars, a suddenly opened door can cause a violent collision that throws them into traffic, onto the pavement, or directly into another vehicle.
In San Francisco, where cycling is part of daily life for thousands of residents, dooring accidents occur with alarming frequency. These crashes are not random or unavoidable events. In many cases, they occur because a driver or passenger fails to comply with California law when opening a car door. Zinn Law Firm represents injured cyclists and riders who have been harmed by negligent dooring incidents and seeks to hold at-fault parties accountable under California Vehicle Code 22517.
This guide explains what dooring accidents are, how California law applies, what it takes to prove negligence, why defenses like the Dutch Reach may come into play, and why dooring injuries often lead to higher settlement values than other bicycle accidents. Speak to a San Francisco bicycle accident attorney today if you have suffered an injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence.
Takeaways from Dooring Accidents and CVC 22517
- California Vehicle Code 22517 requires drivers and passengers to ensure it is reasonably safe before opening a vehicle door into traffic, including bike lanes used by cyclists.
- Dooring accidents often cause severe injuries such as fractures, nerve damage, and head trauma, which can require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods.
- Liability in dooring cases is frequently clearer than in other bicycle accidents because violating CVC 22517 can directly establish negligence.
- Insurance companies may attempt to shift blame to cyclists, making documentation, medical records, and evidence critical to protecting an injured rider’s claim.
- Because dooring injuries can lead to lasting limitations, settlement values are often higher when damages are fully documented and causation is clearly established.
- After a dooring accident, you should speak with a bicycle accident lawyer to understand your rights, protect your claim, and pursue compensation under California law.
What Is a Dooring Accident?
A dooring accident occurs when a person inside a parked or stopped vehicle opens a door into the path of a bicyclist, motorcyclist, or scooter rider. The rider may strike the door directly or swerve to avoid it, only to crash. In busy cities, these accidents commonly happen along streets with parallel parking where bike lanes run close to parked cars.
Dooring accidents are particularly dangerous because riders often have little or no time to react. Unlike other traffic collisions, where braking or steering may reduce the impact, a suddenly opened door can appear without warning at close range. Even experienced cyclists may be unable to avoid a crash.
Common dooring scenarios include:
- A driver opening their door after parking without checking mirrors
- A passenger exiting a rideshare vehicle into a bike lane
- A driver stopping temporarily and opening a door into moving traffic
- A door opening while a cyclist is traveling at normal speed in a designated bike lane
These incidents can result in serious injuries, especially when the rider is thrown into traffic after the initial impact.
Why Dooring Accidents Are So Common in San Francisco
Dooring accidents are more frequent in large cities, and several factors make them especially common in San Francisco.
First, the city has a high concentration of cyclists using bike lanes alongside parked vehicles. Second, many streets are narrow, leaving little buffer space between bike lanes and parked cars. Third, the widespread use of rideshare services increases the number of passengers opening doors unexpectedly on busy streets.
Tourism also plays a role. Visitors unfamiliar with cycling laws or local traffic patterns may not realize how dangerous it is to open a door without checking for approaching riders. Combined with frequent curbside parking, delivery vehicles, and congestion, the risk of dooring accidents remains high throughout the city.
California Vehicle Code 22517 Explained
California Vehicle Code 22517 is the primary law governing dooring accidents. It states that no person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and the door can be opened without interfering with the movement of traffic.
This law applies to both drivers and passengers. Anyone who opens a door into traffic has a legal duty to ensure that doing so will not endanger others. The term traffic includes bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and other lawful roadway users.
Key points of CVC 22517 include:
- The duty applies before opening the door, not after
- The obligation is proactive and requires checking for approaching riders
- The law applies even if the vehicle is legally parked
- Violations can establish negligence in a personal injury claim
In a dooring accident, a violation of CVC 22517 is often central to proving fault.
Proving Negligence in a Dooring Accident Case
To recover compensation after a dooring accident, an injured cyclist or rider must prove negligence. Under California law, negligence requires showing four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty of Care
CVC 22517 establishes a clear duty of care. Drivers and passengers must open vehicle doors only when it is reasonably safe and when doing so will not interfere with traffic. Cyclists have a legal right to use the roadway and bike lanes, which means door openers must account for their presence.
Breach of Duty
A breach occurs when a driver or passenger opens a door without checking for approaching riders or opens it in a way that interferes with traffic. Evidence of breach may include:
- Witness testimony
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage
- Police reports citing a CVC 22517 violation
- Statements made at the scene
In many cases, the fact that a cyclist struck an open door is strong evidence that the door was opened unsafely.
Causation
The injured person must show that the unsafe opening of the door directly caused the accident and resulting injuries. This can include both direct impacts with the door and secondary crashes caused by swerving or being thrown into traffic.
Damages
Damages may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term impairment. Dooring accidents often result in significant damage and severe injuries.
The Dutch Reach and Dooring Accident Defenses
The Dutch Reach is a technique taught to drivers that involves using the far hand to open the car door, forcing the body to turn and look for approaching cyclists. While promoted as a safety measure, it is not a legal requirement under California law.
In some cases, defendants may argue that they used the Dutch Reach or attempted to check for cyclists before opening the door. These arguments are often raised to dispute negligence.
However, the legal question is not whether the person attempted to be careful. The question is whether it was reasonably safe to open the door at that moment. If a cyclist was close enough to be struck, the door opening was likely unsafe regardless of intent.
Courts and insurers focus on the outcome and surrounding circumstances, not on whether a safety technique was attempted.
Common Injuries in Dooring Accidents
Dooring accidents frequently result in severe injuries because the rider is unprotected and often thrown violently from the bike. These injuries are often more serious than those seen in lower-speed collisions.
Common injuries include:
Nerve Damage
Cyclists may suffer brachial plexus injuries, spinal nerve damage, or peripheral nerve trauma. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, numbness, weakness, or permanent loss of function.
Fractures
Broken collarbones, wrists, arms, ribs, and facial bones are common in dooring accidents. Many fractures require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even with a helmet, riders can suffer concussions or more severe brain injuries when they strike the door, the ground, or another vehicle.
Soft Tissue and Internal Injuries
Ligament tears, muscle damage, and internal organ injuries may not be immediately apparent but can cause long-term limitations.
Why Dooring Injuries Often Result in Higher Settlements
Dooring accident claims often result in higher settlement values compared to other bicycle accidents. Several factors contribute to this trend.
First, liability is often clearer. A violation of CVC 22517 provides a strong legal foundation for proving fault.
Second, the injuries are frequently severe and involve long-term consequences such as nerve damage or permanent impairment.
Third, medical costs can be substantial due to surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment.
Finally, these injuries can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, especially for those in physically demanding jobs or professions requiring fine motor skills.
When damages are well documented and liability is supported by evidence, dooring accident claims can carry significant value.
Evidence That Strengthens a Dooring Accident Claim
Strong evidence is critical in proving negligence and damages. Important evidence may include:
- Photographs of the scene, vehicle, and open door
- Bicycle damage showing door impact
- Medical records detailing injuries and treatment
- Police reports referencing CVC 22517
- Witness statements
- Video footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
Prompt medical treatment and documentation are especially important, as delays can be used to dispute the severity or cause of injuries.
What to Do After a Dooring Accident
If you are involved in a dooring accident, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Call law enforcement and ensure a report is made. Obtain contact and insurance information from the driver or passenger involved. Take photographs and gather witness information if possible.
Avoid discussing fault at the scene or giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance.
How A Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Dooring Claim
A bicycle accident attorney plays an important role in protecting injured cyclists after a dooring accident. These cases often involve disputes over fault, injuries, and insurance coverage. An attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and determine whether California Vehicle Code 22517 was violated.
Legal representation helps ensure that medical records clearly connect your injuries to the accident, which is especially important when nerve damage, fractures, or head injuries are involved. A bicycle accident attorney can also handle communication with insurance companies, preventing statements from being taken out of context or used to reduce your claim’s value.
In dooring cases, insurers may attempt to blame the cyclist for riding too close to parked cars. An attorney can counter these arguments by applying traffic laws and evidence to establish negligence. With legal guidance, injured cyclists are better positioned to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term effects of their injuries.
Contact A San Francisco Bicycle Accident Lawyer Now
Dooring accidents are preventable incidents that often result from a failure to follow California law. CVC 22517 places a clear responsibility on drivers and passengers to ensure it is safe before opening a vehicle door into traffic. When that duty is ignored, injured cyclists and riders have the right to pursue compensation for the harm they suffer.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a dooring accident, speaking with a San Francisco personal injury lawyer San Francisco residents trust can help clarify your options and protect your interests. Zinn Law Firm bicycle accident attorneys advocate for injured cyclists and riders by holding negligent parties accountable and pursuing compensation that reflects the full impact of these serious injuries.
FAQs: Dooring Accident and Liability
Why do dooring accidents often cause nerve damage?
Sudden impact with a door or the pavement can stretch or compress nerves in the neck, shoulders, or arms, leading to long-term pain, numbness, or weakness.
Do dooring accidents usually involve serious medical treatment?
Yes. Many injuries require emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment, particularly when fractures or nerve injuries are involved.
Why do dooring accident claims often have higher settlement values?
Clear liability under CVC 22517, combined with serious injuries and long recovery periods, often results in higher claim values than in less severe bicycle accidents.
Is a police report important after a dooring accident?
Yes. A police report can document the incident, identify involved parties, and note violations of CVC 22517, all of which can support an injury claim.