Imagine you are riding your bicycle safely down the street, staying in the designated bicycle lane, being reasonably cautious, and obeying all applicable traffic laws. Suddenly, without warning, a car door swings open, strikes you and your bike, and knocks you to the pavement. You suffer a number of injuries and need medical attention. You are also at risk of being struck by other vehicles on the road or street, which could cause further injuries. A Miami dooring accident lawyer could help you seek compensation. Our bike accident attorneys are here to help.
Sadly, the situation described above happens every day in Florida, and many cyclists are severely hurt; some are even killed. “Dooring,” as this scenario is commonly known, also violates Florida law. The law prohibits opening the door of any motor vehicle until it is safe to do so without interfering with other moving traffic, including bicycles. Unfortunately, too many operators of motor vehicles are either unaware of the law or simply do not comply with it.
According to the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA), cyclists can prevent dooring-related crashes. The FBA offers these safety tips for cyclists to avoid doorings:
The points listed above are great tips for avoiding a dooring accident – and prudent cyclists will follow them – but what happens if you are the victim of a dooring accident? Reach out to a Miami attorney to discuss legal action after a dooring accident.
Under Florida law, if you have been injured by a dooring because of the negligence of the operator of a motor vehicle, then you may be able to recover the following monetary damages:
You may also be able to recover an amount for the damage to your bicycle. If your loved one has died as a result of a bicycle dooring accident, then you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of a Miami lawyer.
When you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident, please seek appropriate medical treatment immediately. Then, please contact us at Kaire & Heffernan, for a free consultation about your case. You can call us at (305) 876-6001 or contact us online to arrange your consultation with a Miami dooring accident lawyer. At no charge, you can tell us about your experience and learn how the legal system may handle your case. We look forward to working with you.