Who Is Liable if a Car Door Hits a Bicyclist in New York?

A Bronx bicycle accident lawyer can help you recover compensation

You don’t have to spend much time pedaling through New York City to understand the risks. Between the weaving cabs, speeding delivery trucks, and distracted pedestrians, bicyclists are already dealing with a variety of potential bicycle accident risks. But there’s one hazard that feels especially unfair: getting “doored.” One second you’re cruising along in a bike lane, the next, a car door swings open in front of you, and you’re flying over your handlebars.

It’s quick. It’s painful. And it’s often avoidable. So when it happens, who’s to blame? Who pays the medical bills? And what does the law actually say about these collisions that happen in the blink of an eye? It’s important to know what a dooring accident is, who can be held responsible, and what to do if you’re injured.

What exactly is a “dooring” accident?

A dooring accident happens when someone opens a car door (driver or passenger) right into the path of a bicyclist. It’s almost always sudden. There’s usually no warning. Even if a bicyclist is moving at a reasonable speed, the crash can be catastrophic.

In many cases, dooring leads to broken wrists, busted collarbones, facial injuries, or worse. Some bicyclists end up swerving into traffic, which can lead to even more serious consequences.

Why are dooring accidents so common in NYC?

Most city streets throughout NYC are lined with parked vehicles, which places bicyclists directly next to car doors in the so-called “door zone.” With hundreds of thousands of daily cycling trips, there are simply more opportunities for conflict between cars and bikes.

Additionally, many bike lanes in NYC are not protected by barriers or buffers, which forces bicyclists to ride within striking distance of opening doors. Plus, frequent pickups and drop-offs are common, especially in busy commercial areas. This increases the likelihood of passengers opening doors without checking for bikes.

When those factors are coupled with driver and passenger inattention, you get a recipe for disaster.

What types of injuries do dooring accidents cause?

Common injuries bicyclists suffer in dooring accidents include:

Head injuries: Even with a helmet, a sudden collision with a car door can cause concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries.
Facial injuries: Riders often can’t react fast enough to shield their faces, which can lead to broken noses, chipped or lost teeth, jaw fractures, eye trauma, and facial lacerations.
Broken collarbones and shoulders: The force of impact or the instinct to brace for a fall often results in fractured clavicles, dislocated shoulders, or torn rotator cuffs.
Wrist and hand injuries: Bicyclists typically throw their hands out to break a fall, which can cause broken wrists, sprained fingers, nerve damage, or deep abrasions.
Spinal injuries: Landing awkwardly or being hit with enough force can cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even long-term back and neck complications.
Knee and leg injuries: Hitting the door directly or falling sideways can result in broken kneecaps, torn ligaments, or severe bruising.
Soft tissue damage: Even when bones aren’t broken, bicyclists often suffer from deep contusions, muscle strains, or painful road rash.
Internal injuries: In more severe dooring incidents, there can be internal bleeding, organ damage, or other life-threatening trauma.

What does New York law say about car doors and traffic?

In New York, the law is surprisingly clear. Section 1214 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law says that no person can open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so.

This rule isn’t just for drivers – it applies to passengers, too. That means if you’re getting out of an Uber or cab and you swing the door open into a bicyclist, you could be held legally responsible. So could the driver who didn’t warn you or pulled over in an unsafe spot.

When this law is broken, courts often treat it as negligence per se. This is a legal term that basically says, “If you broke the rule and someone got hurt in the way the rule was meant to prevent, you’re probably liable.”

Who’s actually liable when a cyclist gets doored?

In many cases, the liable party is the person who opened the door. However, other parties can be liable too. These are the typical liable parties in dooring incidents:

The driver or passenger

This one’s the most straightforward. The person who opens the door into a bicyclist’s path is usually the one most at fault. They’re supposed to check their mirrors and look over their shoulder. If they don’t, that’s negligence.

It doesn’t matter if the car was legally parked. Even lawfully parked drivers (and their passengers) still owe a duty of care to passing bicyclists.

The car’s owner

New York has what’s called the “permissive use doctrine.” That means if someone was using another person’s car with their permission, the owner can be held liable for what the occupants do behind the wheel or with the vehicle.

Employers or companies

Was the vehicle part of a business operation? Was the driver working at the time? If so, the company may also be on the hook. That includes taxi fleets, rideshare operators, delivery services, and contractors.

What should I do if I’m a bicyclist injured in a dooring accident?

In the chaotic moments after a crash, your body may be flooded with adrenaline, and you may feel disoriented. Still, if you’re able (or if someone nearby can help) there are a few steps that can make all the difference later on. First, call 911 right away. Even if you’re not sure how badly you’re hurt, insist on having a police report filed. It creates an official record, and that matters.

Then, gather as much information as you can from the driver or passenger involved. That includes their name, phone number, license plate, and insurance details. If it was a rideshare, capture details from the app, such as trip history, screenshots, or anything that ties them to the moment.

Next, take lots of photos, if you’re able to. Photograph the open door, the bike’s position, the condition of the street, any damage, and your injuries. These images can tell the story when memories fade or accounts begin to differ. If there are any witnesses nearby, approach them and ask what they saw. Get their names and contact information. Their testimony may become important if liability is disputed. After that, seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries feel minor at the moment. Shock and adrenaline can mask pain. Plus, having a medical record from day one helps establish that the crash caused your pain, not something else.

Also, don’t repair or throw out your damaged bicycle or gear. Those broken parts are evidence that shows the force of the impact in ways that words sometimes can’t. Above all, resist the urge to downplay what just happened. Injuries from dooring incidents can evolve. What seems like a bruise today could become a serious and lingering issue tomorrow.

Can I get compensation after a dooring accident in New York?

If you’re struck by a car or a car door in New York, you can file a no-fault insurance claim against the vehicle owner’s policy. It doesn’t matter if the bicyclist owns a car. No-fault covers:

Medical expenses (up to $50,000)
Lost wages (partially)
Transportation costs to medical appointments

This type of claim does not cover pain and suffering. However, you can sue the at-fault party if your injuries are serious or life-changing. Tort claims against the driver’s insurance company often apply when the damages exceed the no-fault limit, including:

Fractures
Disfigurement
Permanent disability
90 out of 180 days of significant limitation

With a tort claim, you can get compensation for:

Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Future medical care
Lost earning capacity

When should I contact an NYC lawyer after a dooring accident?

Even when it’s clear that someone’s negligence caused your dooring accident and resulting injuries, insurance companies will use every trick in the book to keep their costs down. They may downplay your injuries, argue that you don’t need a lawyer, or offer you a quick lowball settlement in hopes you’ll take it. Don’t be surprised if they even try to shift some of the blame onto you.

That’s why you need a strong legal advocate in your corner. Someone who knows the New York legal system and how to push back against the insurance companies. That’s where Giampa Law comes in. We’ve built our reputation by standing up for injured New Yorkers. We know how to investigate dooring crashes, gather the right evidence, and build a strong case that tells your story.

Your recovery starts with a free consultation. Contact us today to speak to a lawyer who knows how to handle dooring cases and win. We’ll explain your rights, answer your questions, and handle every step of the legal process while you focus on healing. Plus, you don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.

“I was referred to Giampa for my 2nd case and when I met Zach, I immediately hired him for my 1st case as well. His staff is very pleasant. He exceeded my expectations. I’m so happy with my settlements. Great firm!” – L.A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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