Last year, the Highway code updates aimed to improve cycle safety and road conditions for all users but particularly people walking, riding horses, and cycling.
One year later and only 18% of UK cyclists think last year’s Highway Code changes have made a positive difference to road safety while a further 70% said they hadn’t noticed a difference at all.
From our experience, we have historically seen a lack of knowledge from both cyclists and vehicle drivers result in accidents that could have easily been avoided. Dooring, for example, is an accident we see very often with clients and it’s the perfect example of how a lack of knowledge for something very obvious at times can cause serious injuries.
What is Dooring?
Dooring is a popular term for when a cyclist is injured when they run into a car door that suddenly opened in front of them. Cyclists, motorists or pedestrians can be seriously injured from a vehicle door suddenly opening, whether it’s an injury from the car door itself or if the individual is injured while swerving the door and sustains an injury from another stationary object or moving vehicle.
In 2021, 111 pedal cyclists were killed in Great Britain, whilst 4,353 were reported to be seriously injured and 11,994 slightly injured.
Determining how many of these accidents resulted from an open car door is very difficult but data shows that the highest contributory factors for cycling accidents are drivers that failed to look around properly and drivers that failed to judge the other person’s path or speed.
Can I claim if I was hit by a car door when cycling?
As mentioned above, one of the highest contributory factors of cycling accidents is drivers that didn’t look around their vehicle properly and there is also legislation of the Highway Code- Rule 239 that states:
Drivers must ensure they do not hit anyone when they open the door. Drivers must check for cyclists or other traffic by looking all around and using their mirrors.
Drives should open the door using their hand on the opposite side of the door they are opening. This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder and likely avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists, or people on the pavement passing your vehicle.
So, if you were hit by a vehicle door and injured and there is evidence that your injuries were caused by the negligence of the driver, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your suffering, any damages you sustained, and financial losses.
If you have been involved in an accident and would like some advice, please get in touch for a free chat with our experience accident claims team which can guide you through the process of making a claim. Use our online contact form to get in touch.
