Every day, bicyclists navigate through bustling streets. In this chaos, even a seemingly innocent act like a driver opening a car door can result in an accident.
This phenomenon, known as dooring, often leaves bicyclists with severe injuries that affect every aspect of their lives.
How it happens
Imagine a person on a bicycle cruising along a row of parked cars in an urban area, which is where the largest amount of bicyclists die. Suddenly, a car door swings open directly into this person’s path.
With little to no time to react, the bicyclist collides with the door. The force of the impact can throw an individual off balance, causing them to crash onto the pavement or veer into oncoming traffic.
Impact on bicyclists
Dooring incidents can leave bicyclists with many serious injuries, such as fractures and head trauma. The abrupt nature of these collisions often catches people on bicycles off guard, leaving them vulnerable to a painful fall. Additionally, the lack of protective barriers on bicycles leaves individuals exposed to the full force of the impact, increasing the likelihood of severe and long-lasting injuries.
Factors at play
Drivers who do not look around while exiting a vehicle often cause this problem. Additionally, distractions such as mobile phones or loud music further reduce a driver’s attentiveness and lead to this issue.
By raising awareness of the dangers they face when sharing the road with cars, bicyclists can promote a culture of mutual respect on the streets. Those seeking fair compensation for their injuries also benefit from learning more about bicycle accidents.