When most people think of a bicycle or motorcycle accident, they imagine two vehicles in motion. However, some accidents can cause serious injuries even when one of the vehicles involved in the accident is parked, such as in dooring accidents. If you or a loved one was injured in a dooring accident in Oklahoma City, the personal injury team at the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can help. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.
What Is a Dooring Accident?
A dooring accident occurs when a driver or passenger in a parked vehicle opens a car door into the path of an oncoming person. This person could be a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. These accidents can result in serious injuries or even fatalities in some cases.
Who Is Responsible for a Dooring Accident?
The person in the parked vehicle is often determined to be at fault. This is because Oklahoma law states that “No person can open their door on the same side as moving traffic until it’s safe to do so, or leave a door open on the side of a vehicle facing moving traffic for longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.” Therefore, the driver or passenger who opened the door could be liable for the accident.
However, there are situations where it could be the other person’s fault. For example, if a bicyclist was traveling on the wrong side of the road, they could be found completely or partially at fault for the accident. If an accident victim in Oklahoma is found to be more than 50% at fault for an accident, they cannot recover any compensation. If they are found less than this degree at fault, they can recover compensation, but that compensation is reduced by their degree of fault.
Filing a Legal Claim Following a Dooring Accident
If you are injured in a dooring accident, you generally have the option to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s liability insurance carrier or a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or passenger directly.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each option. Insurance claims are usually less complicated and faster, but they can leave money on the table and prevent you from holding the at-fault driver publicly accountable. Personal injury lawsuits may be more procedurally complex and longer, but they may be able to provide a greater amount of compensation.
Financial Compensation for a Dooring Accident
Whether you file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim, you can seek compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses, such as:
- Medical expenses, including future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Repair or replacement costs for your damaged bicycle or motorcycle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
Contact the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm for Help After a Dooring Accident
If someone negligently opened their door into your pathway and injured you, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your injuries and losses. The Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can help build a strong claim on your behalf and fight for the damages you deserve. Contact us online or call us at (405) 310-8800 today for a free consultation.