Omaha Dooring Accident Lawyers

Fighting for the Rights of Injured Riders in Omaha

Dooring creates a serious risk for bicyclists and motorcyclists alike. It occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming rider. When this happens, the bicyclist or motorcyclist has a split second to decide whether to crash into the car door or swerve into traffic, either of which could be deadly. A rider who strikes a car door can be thrown off the bike and into the road.

How Can Motorists Avoid Causing Dooring Incidents?

Occupants of cars can avoid dooring accidents by checking carefully to ensure there are no oncoming cyclists before opening car doors on the side of traffic. In the UK, the “Dutch Reach” method is recommended by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents RoSPA. This practice involves using your far hand to open the car door, rather than the hand closest to the door. It sets in motion a series of actions for vehicle occupants:

• Reach
• Swivel
• Look back
• Open the door slowly
• Exit the car facing traffic

What Can Riders Do to Avoid Being Doored?

Bicyclists and motorcyclists should stay alert and watch out for situations that could indicate a car door opening. Be aware of taxis and delivery vehicles, recently parked vehicles, cars with occupants visible through the windows, and sights or sounds of a car door opening. Try to ride outside of the door zone if possible – approximately five feet away from cars. A good rule of thumb is to allow for the width of the door plus a bit more.

How Serious Are Dooring Injuries?

Dooring can cause injuries ranging in severity from minor to fatal. Common dooring injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Severe nerve damage
• Whiplash
• Bone fractures
• Joint dislocations
• Severe lacerations
• Internal bleeding

How Is Liability Determined in a Dooring Incident?

Drivers and passengers of motor vehicles have a duty to check for oncoming cyclists before opening a car door. When a cyclist gets doored, the person who opened the door is usually liable. The law states at Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,180: “No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and it can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. . .”

How Does Comparative Fault Work in Nebraska?

Under Nebraska’s comparative fault laws, a percentage of negligence or fault for an accident can be assigned to each of the parties involved. The damages you are able to recover for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. After a serious dooring accident caused by a vehicle occupant, the other side will try to assign as much blame for the dooring as possible to you. For example, they may claim that you could have swerved to avoid the crash.

Why Do You Need an Omaha Dooring Injury Lawyer?

We are here to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our Omaha dooring injury attorney can thoroughly investigate your accident to determine fault and liability. We can collect and preserve evidence to support your claim, assess the full extent of your injuries, negotiate skillfully with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for fair compensation in court if necessary.

If you have sustained severe dooring injuries, contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free consultation. We can tell you what damages you may be entitled to claim and provide experienced representation in your case.