Chicago Bicycle Dooring Accident Attorney

A Chicago dooring accident lawyer can help you recover compensation if you’ve been injured in a dooring accident, which is one of the city’s most common and dangerous hazards for cyclists. These accidents occur when a driver or passenger carelessly swings open a car door into a bike lane, leaving cyclists little time to react. The impact can result in serious injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience securing financial compensation for cyclists harmed by negligent drivers. If you’ve been involved in a bike accident in Chicago, our team is here to fight for your rights.

Bicycle & Dooring Accident Settlements

Successful Case Results

• $1,000,000 – Bicycle-dooring settlement for a 26-year-old woman who sustained a torn rotator cuff when a driver opened a door in violation of a city ordinance.
• $350,000 – Bicycle accident hit-and-run settlement for a cyclist injured in a collision with a hit-and-run driver, paid by the cyclist’s insurance company.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Chicago bicycle accident, our experienced bicycle attorneys can help you pursue compensation.

What Is a Dooring Accident?

A dooring accident occurs when a car door opens into a bike lane, causing a collision or forcing a bike rider to swerve into motor vehicles in traffic. These accidents frequently occur on busy Chicago streets, especially in areas with high bicycle traffic, such as Milwaukee Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and Clark Street.

Chicago’s Dooring Laws

Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-1407), drivers and passengers must check for bicycle riders before opening a car door. Violating this law can lead to fines and civil liability.

Additionally, Chicago Municipal Code 9-80-035 states that no one may open a vehicle door into moving traffic unless it is safe. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that dooring incidents account for a significant percentage of bike accidents in urban areas.

High-Risk Areas for Dooring Accidents

Dooring accidents are most common in downtown Chicago and the North Side, particularly in areas with high cycling traffic, such as Milwaukee Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Clark Street, and Hyde Park. Most accidents occur during daylight and fair weather rather than at night or in poor conditions.

Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Dooring Accident?

Liability for dooring accidents typically falls on the negligent driver or passenger who opened the car door. However, proving fault requires solid evidence, including:

• Police reports from a police officer documenting the accident.
• Eyewitness statements.
• Traffic camera footage.
• Medical records showing serious injuries sustained from the accident.

Our Chicago dooring attorneys will gather and present this evidence to build a strong case.

Comparative Negligence in Dooring Bike Accidents

Illinois follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that an injured cyclist’s compensation may be reduced if they were partially at fault. For example, a bike rider who was speeding or distracted might share some responsibility. Our accident lawyers work to minimize any shared fault to maximize your settlement.

Preventing Bicycle Dooring Accidents

Chicago has taken steps to reduce dooring incidents by implementing safety measures such as:

• Protected bike lanes with wider buffers between cyclists and parked cars.
• Dedicated bicycle signals at high-traffic intersections.
• Public awareness campaigns by IDOT to educate drivers and passengers.

Despite these efforts, dooring accidents remain a significant risk in busy urban areas.

Taxi and Rideshare Dooring Incidents

One common type of dooring accident involves taxi and rideshare passengers exiting vehicles into bike lanes. Uber and Lyft passengers frequently exit into bicycle paths without checking for oncoming cyclists, causing collisions.

Cab companies and rideshare services may argue that the passenger is at fault, but drivers are also responsible for ensuring a safe exit. Our attorneys have successfully pursued bike accident claims against taxi companies and rideshare services for failing to prevent these dangerous incidents.

Common Injuries in Dooring Incidents

Dooring accidents can lead to severe injuries, including:

• Broken bones – Common in bike accidents where cyclists are thrown off their bikes.
• Brain injuries – Can result from head trauma, even with a helmet.
• Joint dislocations – Impact with a car door can cause long-term mobility issues.
• Road rash – Sliding on pavement causes serious abrasions.
• Wrongful death – In extreme cases, dooring incidents can be fatal, particularly when cyclists are forced into traffic.

Legal Time Limits for Filing a Dooring Accident Claim

Under Illinois law, injured cyclists have two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202) from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. If property damage is involved, such as a damaged bicycle, the statute of limitations (735 ILCS 5/13-205) extends to five years.

Recovering Compensation After a Dooring Accident

Dooring accidents can cause many different problems, including job loss, medical bills, permanent injuries, or mental suffering. Accident lawyers will determine what damages have occurred due to an accident and can help you recover them.

Economic Damages

These are direct financial consequences that stem from the accident. Accidents typically cause injuries requiring costly medical treatment and lost income from missing work days.

Economic damages help recover these financial losses, and they can include:

• Medical bills
• Medication costs
• Lost wages
• Property damage costs (such as bicycle damage)
• Lost earning potential
• Any out-of-pocket costs

Non-Economic Damages

Not all damages from an accident are financial. Pain can make daily living difficult or impossible. The death of a loved one can result in major emotional trauma. If accidents result in death, it can severely impact current and future happiness and mental health.

Some non-economic damages our law firm could help you recover include:

• Physical pain in daily life
• Mental suffering due to PTSD, anxiety, loss of life, or injury
• Emotional suffering due to loss of life, job loss, or relationship loss
• Loss of enjoyment of life

When dealing with claims involving motor vehicles, a thorough investigation by a police officer, and documenting the accident scene can strengthen your case, especially when negotiating with an insurance company for fair compensation.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Chicago Dooring Accident Lawyer?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact Our Cyclist Dooring Accident Attorneys Today

Don’t wait to take action if you’ve been injured in a Chicago bicycle accident. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today. Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your case. Call us at (888)-424-5757 or visit our office at:

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.