Syracuse, New York: Bicycle Dooring Accidents

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Super Lawyer and American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, is Committed to Defending the Rights of Bicycle Accident Victims Across Syracuse. If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in an Onondaga County Bicycle Crash or Dooring Accident That Was Not Your Fault, You Deserve Effective, Aggressive Representation and an Attorney Willing to Fight for Your Rights.

Cyclists have every right to enjoy the road, but many motorists have a blind spot when it comes to bicycles. Accidents happen, often quickly and without warning. In densely populated, high-traffic environments like Armory Square and Syracuse University campus, so-called “dooring” collisions present a significant risk to cyclists, almost on par with that posed by moving vehicles.

“Dooring” is a term used to describe a very particular type of bicycle accident.

In a typical dooring accident, the occupant of a car or truck opens their door without checking for oncoming traffic, striking a cyclist or other pedestrians. Dooring-type collisions almost always occur at low speeds, but they are nonetheless a leading cause of serious injury and death for urban cyclists.

Getting back on your feet after a bicycle crash can be difficult. Fortunately, you do not have to do it alone. For more than 20 years, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has fought to protect the rights of accident victims in Syracuse and throughout the region. A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, we know what it takes to build a compelling case for compensation, and we have the results to prove it. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a dooring crash lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

A dooring accident occurs whenever a bicyclist is injured by a vehicle door that opens suddenly and without adequate warning. Under most circumstances, dooring-related crashes can be attributed to negligence. The most common causes include, but are by no means limited to, the following:

1. Inattention. Technological distractions abound in today’s world, but drivers still have a legal responsibility to exercise a reasonable standard of care whenever they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. This responsibility does not stop when the vehicle comes to a halt, either. If a distracted driver does not check for oncoming traffic before opening their door, they could be held liable for the costs of any resulting injuries.
2. Recklessness. People in a hurry do not always make the best decisions. If, for instance, a food delivery driver decides to save time by parking in a bike lane and does not notice you while pulling in, there is a good chance they did not check their mirror before opening their door, either.
3. Poor road conditions. Poor road conditions, which can be caused by anything from inclement weather to ageing infrastructure, are a contributing factor in many car-bicycle collisions. However, bad weather is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for negligence. If improper road design or reckless driving caused or contributed to your accident, you could file a personal injury lawsuit to recover your damages.

Dooring accidents can have other causes, but there is never an excuse for prioritizing time and convenience over everybody else’s safety. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you secure the resources you need to begin rebuilding your life. Please contact us today to speak to a bike accident lawyer and find out how much your case could be worth.

If you are in the early stages of filing an insurance claim or already considering legal action, you cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to your own future.

If and when you begin negotiating a settlement, you may receive an offer sooner than you expect, but no matter whether it seems surprisingly sufficient or wholly inadequate, it probably would not account for the ways your life could change once you are out of the hospital and back to your daily routine.

Even if the insurance company does not want to admit it, bicycle accidents can have long-term consequences that do not go away in a matter of days or weeks. This is because dooring accidents, compared to some other types of collisions, could be more likely to result in:

Whiplash is a complex and poorly understood medical condition caused by the sudden and forceful back-and-forth movement of the head and neck. Motor vehicle collisions, bicycle crashes, and other traumatic accidents are some of the most common causes of whiplash.

Whiplash could cause symptoms such as:

1. Lingering stiffness or soreness;
2. Chronic pain or chronic discomfort;
3. Headaches and vision problems;
4. Insomnia or other difficulty sleeping; and
5. Trouble swallowing.

Since scientists still do not know very much about whiplash, diagnosis usually comes down to your doctor’s interpretation of the signs and symptoms you describe. These symptoms do not always appear right after an accident, but they can linger for months or even years afterward.

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is any injury to the brain caused by an external force. It is a generic term and could be used in reference to any of the following:

1. A concussion;
2. A burst blood vessel, or hematoma; and
3. A physical fracture to your skull.

You can still sustain a TBI even if you are wearing a high-quality helmet and other protective gear. Furthermore, even “low-grade” concussions could cause long-term complications, especially if you have been diagnosed with another TBI in the past.

Any traumatic accident could cause disfiguring or disabling injuries.

In dooring accidents, one of the most common causes of disfigurement is road rash. A type of skin abrasion caused by contact with a rough surface, typically concrete, gravel, or asphalt, raises your risk of both infection and scarring.

Lawyers, judges, and insurance companies all use the term “damages” to describe the compensation you could receive for your losses. Damages come in several varieties:

1. Economic damages, which compensate your verifiable financial losses;
2. Non-economic damages, which compensate subjective kinds of pain, loss, and suffering; and
3. Punitive damages are awarded only if the defendant was unusually negligent.

Some states put caps on damages, but New York does not typically limit compensation for most personal injury claims. Depending on the circumstances of your case and the severity of your injuries, you could receive damages for your:

1. Hospital bills and other medical expenses;
2. Physical rehabilitation;
3. Mental health counseling;
4. Paid co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs;
5. Lost income from work;
6. Diminished earning potential;
7. Physical pain and suffering;
8. Emotional pain and suffering;
9. Disfigurement; and
10. Wrongful death.

Although New York would not cap your settlement, you cannot wait too long to take action. If you delay, you risk running out of the statute of limitations. And once the statute of limitations lapses, you could lose your right to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Do not take chances with your rights: call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a bicycle accident lawyer near Syracuse, New York, and schedule your free consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!