Who Is Liable When a Biker is Doored in New York?

While a car door in a biker’s path may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can be extremely hazardous and cause severe injuries. Often, victims of dooring accidents are caught off guard and are struck by the door or forced to swerve into traffic. Injuries from dooring accidents can be life-altering and cause significant long-term complications. 

If you have been struck by a door while biking in New York, you deserve to pursue justice for the full extent of your losses. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, our attorneys are committed to fighting for our client’s rights and building the strongest claims possible on their behalf. We have over 100 years of combined experience helping bicycle accident victims hold negligent parties accountable and recover the maximum compensation available for their injuries and other losses. 

Proving Liability After a New York Dooring Accident

The law typically requires cyclists to ride in designated bike lanes or directly to the right of traffic. Unfortunately, these regulations can put bikers near many parked cars. Although drivers are supposed to check their surroundings before opening their doors, cyclists are often missed and severely injured as a result. New York City also forbids taxis from stopping in a bicycle lane to pick up passengers. However, this law is often ignored. In many instances, the individual who opened the door into the bicycle lane is liable when a cyclist is doored. 

Even if you are confident that the person who opened their door is the liable party in your case, your attorney must prove several key elements to establish liability. To pursue a successful claim for compensation, your case must meet the following requirements:

• The individual who doored you owed you a duty of care to act responsibly
• The individual violated this duty of care by behaving negligently
• This breach of the duty of care directly caused your injuries
• Your injuries caused you to suffer tangible and intangible losses

When you partner with a skilled attorney from the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, you can trust us to thoroughly explore every angle of your case as we work to establish liability on your behalf. 

Evidence Your Attorney Can Use to Support Your Dooring Accident Claim

To establish liability, your attorney will investigate your case and collect several pieces of evidence to prove your claim. A few pieces of essential evidence in a dooring accident claim include the following:

• Photos of bicycle
• Photos of your injuries
• Photos of the scene of the accident
• Video footage from traffic or security cameras
• The police report
• Eyewitness testimonies
• Expert witnesses testimonies
• Your medical bills and other accident-related expenses

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, our attorneys will leave no stone unturned as we gather evidence to support your claim. We understand how challenging the aftermath of a dooring accident can be and will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus 100% of your energy on your healing and recovery. 

Consult With an Experienced New York Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

While biking is a fun and cost-effective way to travel, it has certain risks. If you have been doored while cycling in New York, do not hesitate to contact a trusted bicycle accident attorney. At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, our attorneys understand the ins and outs of New York personal injury law and are ready to apply our experience and skills to your case. We have a proven track record of successfully recovering the maximum compensation for our clients as we help them move their lives forward. 

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, call us at 516-358-6900 or complete our contact form today. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more about our team and other legal topics.

For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900