It’s a beautiful day in Detroit. You’re riding your bike down Michigan Avenue, coasting past parked cars, alert but relaxed. Then, in a heartbeat—bam—a car door swings open right in front of you.
There’s no time to swerve. No room to brake. You collide with the steel edge, catapulted into the road. Maybe into oncoming traffic. You’re dazed, bleeding, broken—and it all happened because someone didn’t bother to look before opening their door.
This is what’s known as a “dooring” accident—and it’s not a harmless mishap. It’s a preventable, often devastating event that sends cyclists to the ER and, too often, ruins lives.
In a car-centric city like Detroit, where protected bike lanes are scarce and awareness of cyclist safety lags behind, dooring is a common and dangerous threat. A simple failure to check the side mirror can cause concussions, shattered bones, spinal injuries—or worse.
Too many drivers and passengers treat bike lanes like shoulders, not understanding that they’re legally obligated to check before opening a door. But Michigan law doesn’t accept ignorance as an excuse. If you were “doored,” you may have the right to hold them accountable—and pursue real compensation for your injuries.
What Is “Dooring”? And Why Does It Happen So Often?
“Dooring” happens when a driver or passenger opens their vehicle door directly into the path of an oncoming cyclist. It might sound like a minor incident—but for the person on the bike, it can be catastrophic.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Dooring Accidents
Dooring isn’t rare—it’s disturbingly common in urban areas like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, where cyclists share tight streets with parked cars and distracted drivers. Typical situations include:
- A driver parallel parks and swings open their door without looking
- A passenger in a rideshare opens their door into a busy bike lane
- A delivery vehicle stops in a no-parking zone and the door flies open unexpectedly
Why Does It Keep Happening?
Several avoidable factors contribute to this growing danger:
- Distracted occupants: More people are glued to phones than paying attention to traffic
- No awareness of cyclist safety: Many drivers don’t even realize they’re legally responsible for checking before opening a door
- Poor infrastructure: Detroit streets often lack protected bike lanes, forcing cyclists to ride within “dooring range”
- Inadequate driver education: Most people were never taught about the dangers of dooring during their driver’s training
Michigan Law: Drivers Have a Legal Duty to Check Before Opening a Door
When a cyclist gets “doored,” it’s not simply an accident—it’s a violation of Michigan law. According to MCL 257.672, no one—driver or passenger—can open a vehicle door “until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic.”
How MCL 257.672 Applies to Cyclists
Under this statute, a bicycle is considered traffic—just like a car, truck, or motorcycle. That means:
- Drivers must check mirrors and blind spots before opening a door
- Passengers in parked vehicles must be cautious when exiting
- Ignorance of a cyclist’s presence is not a defense under the law
If a driver or passenger flings open a door into a cyclist’s path without checking first, they’ve broken the law—and they’re legally responsible for the harm they cause.
The Legal Duty of Care
In Michigan, all vehicle occupants owe a duty of care to others on the road—including cyclists. This means they’re expected to act reasonably and safely to avoid causing harm.
Failing to check before opening a door is a clear breach of that duty, and when it results in a cyclist’s injury, it’s grounds for a personal injury claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
The Driver or Passenger Who Opened the Door
Michigan law is clear: whoever opened the door into traffic is directly liable. That includes:
- Drivers who fail to check side mirrors
- Passengers who blindly exit into a bike lane
- Occupants in parked vehicles, rideshares, or cabs
Rideshare Companies (Uber, Lyft)
If the vehicle involved was being used commercially—like an Uber or Lyft—you may have a claim not just against the passenger or driver, but the rideshare company’s insurance policy. These companies often carry substantial liability coverage, especially for active ride periods.
We’ll investigate whether the ride was “in progress” at the time—because that detail could significantly impact your compensation.
Delivery or Commercial Vehicle Companies
Dooring by delivery drivers—Amazon, UPS, food couriers, etc.—can trigger corporate liability. Companies can be held responsible under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which means employers are liable for employees acting within the scope of their job.
If the driver was on the clock, their company may be just as accountable as the individual behind the door.
City or Municipality
In rare but critical cases, the design of the street or lack of safe bike infrastructure may contribute to the crash. For example:
- No bike lane in high-traffic areas
- Poor lighting or obstructed visibility near curbside parking
- Lack of signage warning about cyclists
What to Do After a Dooring Accident
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you think your injuries are “just bruises,” go to the ER or urgent care. Many dooring victims suffer:
- Concussions
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal trauma
- Injuries that don’t surface until hours later
Medical documentation also becomes crucial evidence when building your case.
Call the Police and File a Report
A police report helps:
- Officially document what happened
- Record the names of the driver and witnesses
- Establish the facts before memories fade
If the police don’t show up at the scene, go to the nearest precinct or file an online report the same day.
Get Contact Info from Everyone Involved
You’ll need:
- The name, phone number, and address of the person who opened the door
- License plate number and insurance information
- Names and numbers of any witnesses nearby
These details could make or break your ability to prove fault later.
Take Photos of Everything
Photos are your silent witnesses. Capture:
- The door’s position relative to traffic
- The street layout and any bike lanes (or lack thereof)
- Your injuries (immediately and over the next few days)
- The vehicle, license plate, and surroundings
Visual evidence strengthens your claim and can shut down false narratives from insurers.
Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies Alone
The driver’s insurance may call quickly—offering a lowball settlement or asking for a recorded statement. Don’t fall for it.
Their goal is to protect their client, not you.
Before signing or saying anything, speak to a lawyer who understands cyclist rights and dooring laws in Michigan.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
Medical Expenses (Immediate and Ongoing)
From the moment of impact, the costs start piling up:
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency room treatment
- Follow-up visits, specialists, or surgeries
- Physical therapy and pain management
- Long-term care for lasting injuries
Even minor crashes can lead to significant expenses. We make sure every dollar is accounted for.
Lost Wages and Reduced Future Earnings
If your injury forced you to miss work or limits your ability to earn:
- Lost paychecks
- Missed freelance or contract jobs
- Long-term impacts on your career or physical capacity
You didn’t choose to stop working—they made that choice for you. They should be held financially responsible.
Pain and Suffering
Michigan law allows victims to recover damages for:
- Physical pain
- Ongoing discomfort or disability
- Reduced quality of life
You’re not just recovering from a fall—you’re navigating every day with the reminder of what happened. That’s worth more than just your hospital bill.
Emotional Trauma and Therapy
Dooring crashes can be emotionally devastating:
- PTSD
- Anxiety about riding again
- Depression and isolation
- Nightmares or panic attacks
These aren’t invisible injuries. They are real—and they deserve recognition and compensation.
Bicycle and Property Damage
You can also recover for:
- Bike repair or replacement
- Damaged helmet, phone, glasses, or gear
- Any personal property destroyed in the crash
You shouldn’t have to foot the bill to replace what someone else’s carelessness destroyed.
Punitive Damages (In Rare Cases)
In cases of extreme negligence—like a commercial driver who repeatedly violated safety laws—punitive damages may apply. These are meant to punish reckless behavior and deter future harm.
You Have the Right to the Road—And to Justice
Dooring isn’t just a careless moment. It’s a violation of your right to ride safely, a disruption of your life, and in many cases, a traumatic injury that never should have happened.
Michigan law recognizes that cyclists are traffic. That means you’re owed the same protection—and when that protection is violated, you have every right to demand accountability.
At Marko Law, we don’t let drivers off the hook. We don’t let insurance companies downplay your pain. And we don’t let victims go unheard. Whether you were hit in Midtown, Corktown, or riding the Riverwalk, we’ll fight to make sure your voice is loud, your case is strong, and your recovery is full.
Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: 1-833-MARKO-LAW or +1 313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com
