Motorcycle accidents can happen even when a rider is doing everything right. One of the most jarring types of crashes happens when a driver suddenly opens a car door into traffic. For a motorcyclist, this can feel like a trap. There is no time to stop, and a resulting collision can be physically and emotionally painful.
Getting “doored” is not rare. It happens on city streets, near parked cars or even when someone is just stepping out of their vehicle without looking. Many injured riders are left wondering who is at fault for causing a crash: them or a person who opened their door.
Dooring happens more than people think
In California, dooring incidents are more common than many realize. In San Francisco, from January 2014 through March 2024, 416 incidents of dooring involving bicyclists and motor vehicles were reported. This accounted for 10% of the over 4,230 injury crashes between cyclists and motor vehicles during that period.
Riders often have little to no time to react. A sudden door can be impossible to avoid even when motorcyclists are watching closely. Figuring out fault in a dooring accident depends on several things. Here is what legal professionals and insurance adjusters look at:
- Was the door opened into moving traffic? California law (Vehicle Code § 22517) says you cannot open a car door unless it is safe to do so. If someone opened their door without checking, they are usually at fault.
- Was the motorcyclist speeding or weaving between cars? If the rider was riding recklessly, they could share some blame. But even then, the driver may still be mostly at fault for not looking.
- Where did the crash happen? If it was a narrow street with lots of parked cars, drivers should have been extra careful. In many cases, this adds to their responsibility.
- Was the rider in a bike lane or close to traffic? Motorcyclists riding safely in their lane generally have the right of way, even near parked cars.
Every crash is unique, and the fault is not always clear at first. With the help of a legal professional, riders can efficiently sort through what happened and more effectively protect their rights.