Can You Sue for a Dooring Accident While Cycling?

For cyclists, few dangers are as sudden and unavoidable as a car door swinging open into their path. These incidents, known as “dooring” accidents, occur when someone inside a parked vehicle opens a door into the roadway without checking for approaching bicycles. The results can be catastrophic. Cyclists may be thrown into traffic, suffer severe injuries, or collide with the door itself at full speed.

Dooring accidents are preventable, yet they remain a persistent threat in urban areas, including Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno. When a cyclist is injured because someone failed to check before opening a door, the legal system allows for accountability. In many cases, the injured rider can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain.

Understanding how liability works in these cases can help cyclists take the right steps after a crash and protect their rights under Nevada law.

What Is a Dooring Accident?

A dooring accident happens when a cyclist riding alongside a parked vehicle is struck by an opening car door. The cyclist may crash directly into the door or swerve to avoid it and end up colliding with another vehicle or object.

These accidents often occur in:

• Bike lanes adjacent to parallel parking
• Narrow streets with limited shoulders
• Busy commercial areas where vehicles load and unload
• Residential neighborhoods with on-street parking

Even at low speeds, the force of a collision with a car door can cause head injuries, broken bones, or permanent disability. The risk is especially high for cyclists traveling downhill or in poor lighting conditions.

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Why Dooring Accidents Happen

Dooring incidents are usually the result of a simple mistake: failing to look before opening a car door. Common causes include:

• Driver or passenger distraction
• Failure to check side mirrors or blind spots
• Lack of awareness about bike lanes
• Opening the door too quickly or fully
• Impatience in traffic or while unloading passengers

In most cases, the person who opened the door had the ability and legal obligation to avoid the collision.

Nevada Law on Dooring

Nevada traffic law specifically addresses dooring through NRS 484B.153, which states:

“A person shall not leave open a door on the side of a vehicle which is closest to passing traffic longer than is necessary for immediate loading or unloading of passengers or cargo.”

This applies to both drivers and passengers. Failing to follow this rule can result in a traffic citation and be used as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit.

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Is the Person Who Opened the Door Always at Fault?

In many cases, the person who opened the door into traffic is legally at fault. The law assumes that they had the final opportunity to prevent the crash by checking their surroundings.

However, there are rare situations where fault may be disputed. For example:

• The cyclist was riding against traffic
• The cyclist was traveling at an unsafe speed
• The incident occurred outside of normal cycling areas

Even in these situations, the person who opened the door is usually considered primarily responsible. An investigation into the facts, witness statements, and any available video footage will help establish liability.

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What If a Passenger, Not the Driver, Opened the Door?

Passengers can absolutely be held liable in a dooring accident. While drivers have overall responsibility for the operation of the vehicle, passengers are individually accountable for opening their own doors safely.

If a passenger opened the door and caused the crash, the injured cyclist may file a claim against:

• The passenger’s personal liability insurance
• The car owner’s insurance policy (if coverage applies)
• Other involved parties, depending on the circumstances

These claims may be handled under the driver’s auto insurance policy if the passenger was using the car with permission.

Injuries Common in Dooring Accidents

The injuries from a dooring accident can be severe, particularly because the cyclist often has little time to brake or react.

Common injuries include:

• Head trauma and concussions
• Fractured wrists, arms, or collarbones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Facial injuries from impact or road rash
• Psychological trauma

Many cyclists are ejected from their bikes and may land in traffic or strike fixed objects like curbs, poles, or parked cars.

Can Cyclists File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Yes. A cyclist injured in a dooring accident may file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. To succeed, the injured person must show:

1. The person who opened the door had a duty of care to check for approaching cyclists
2. They failed to meet that duty
3. The cyclist was injured as a direct result
4. The injury caused financial and personal harm

Cyclists do not need to show that the other person acted maliciously, just that they failed to act with reasonable caution.

Compensation Available to Injured Cyclists

An injured cyclist in Nevada may be eligible for compensation that covers both economic and non-economic damages. These may include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, follow-ups, surgeries, rehabilitation
• Lost income: Wages lost while recovering or due to disability
• Property damage: Cost of repairing or replacing the bicycle and gear
• Future medical care: If the injury results in long-term consequences

The amount of compensation will depend on the severity of the injury, the cost of treatment, and the impact on the cyclist’s quality of life.

What to Do After a Dooring Accident

If you are involved in a dooring accident while cycling, take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Call 911 to report the crash and request medical assistance
2. Get the driver or passenger’s information including name, address, and insurance
3. Photograph the scene, including the door, bicycle, injuries, and any skid marks
4. Speak with witnesses and get their contact information
5. Request a police report, which documents the details of the crash
6. Seek medical care even if you feel okay at first
7. Consult a personal injury attorney before speaking to insurance companies

Early action ensures that evidence is preserved and liability can be established clearly.

What If the Car Was Parked Illegally?

If the vehicle was parked in a bike lane or no-parking zone when the dooring occurred, this could strengthen the cyclist’s case. Illegally parked vehicles violate traffic laws and create hazardous conditions. This can increase the likelihood of the car owner or driver being held liable for the injury.

Photos of the scene and references to local parking ordinances may become important evidence.

Does Car Insurance Cover Dooring Accidents?

In most cases, the driver’s or vehicle owner’s auto liability insurance will cover injuries caused by a dooring accident. If the passenger opened the door, coverage may still apply under the car owner’s policy.

If the driver or passenger is uninsured or underinsured, the cyclist may need to use their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Many cyclists who own cars have this coverage as part of their personal auto policy.

Additionally, health insurance may cover initial treatment, but a liability claim is necessary to recover out-of-pocket costs and non-economic damages.

How Van Law Firm Can Help

At Van Law Firm, we represent injured cyclists throughout Nevada. If you were hurt in a dooring accident, we will:

• Investigate the crash
• Collect witness statements and video footage
• Work with medical professionals to document your injuries
• Handle all communication with insurance companies
• Fight to recover full and fair compensation

Our attorneys have experience handling bike accident cases and understand the unique challenges involved when motorists deny responsibility.

No Fees Unless You Win

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.

Dooring accidents can leave cyclists with serious, life-changing injuries. If someone opened a vehicle door into your path and caused a crash, they may be legally and financially responsible.