You’re biking down a city street, obeying every rule of the road. Then—bam! A car door swings open without warning, and you’re sent flying into traffic. You didn’t see it coming. You had no time to react. And now, you're injured, disoriented, and angry.
This is what’s known as “dooring.” It happens when a driver or passenger opens their car door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist—causing the rider to collide with the door or swerve into another hazard. It’s sudden, violent, and often completely avoidable.
Take the case of a Detroit cyclist who was commuting home in a designated bike lane when a parked car's driver flung open their door without looking. The cyclist smashed into it, was thrown into oncoming traffic, and suffered a broken collarbone and a concussion. No time to stop. No room to swerve. Just pain and chaos—and a long road to recovery.
The truth is, most dooring incidents aren’t flukes—they’re failures. Failures to check mirrors. Failures to respect shared roads. Failures to follow Michigan traffic laws that protect cyclists. And under Michigan law, that failure could make them liable for your injuries.
Drivers and passengers have a legal duty to look before opening a door into traffic. When they don't—and you pay the price—they can and should be held accountable.
Why Dooring Accidents Happen
Michigan law explicitly protects cyclists in these situations. Under MCL 257.672, it is illegal for any person to open a car door into moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so.
In other words: if someone opened a door and caused you to crash, they broke the law. Period.
This isn’t just traffic etiquette—it’s a legal obligation. And when that law is ignored, the person responsible can be held liable for your injuries, lost income, medical bills, and more.
The Most Common Causes of Dooring
- Drivers Failing to Check Mirrors
- Many drivers simply forget to glance at their side mirrors before flinging open their doors.
- In busy areas, especially near curbs or designated bike lanes, that one oversight can cause a violent collision.
- Passengers Unaware of Their Surroundings
- Ride-shares, taxis, or even family members hopping out of the passenger seat rarely think about cyclists.
- Without education or warning, they unknowingly open doors directly into bike traffic.
- Lack of Bike Lanes or Poor Road Design
- Some Michigan cities still lag in safe, dedicated bike infrastructure.
- Roads without clear bike lanes force cyclists to ride dangerously close to parked cars.
- Even where bike lanes exist, poor design can place them right in the “door zone”—the area where an open door extends into the path of travel.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Dooring Accident?
The Person Who Opened the Door
Whether it’s a driver or passenger, the person who opened the door is often directly at fault. Michigan law (MCL 257.672) clearly states that no one may open a vehicle door into traffic unless it’s reasonably safe.
If they failed to look, didn’t check mirrors, or opened the door without care—you may have a strong claim against them.
Rideshare Companies Like Uber or Lyft
Was the vehicle being used for commercial purposes at the time of the incident? If so, the company behind it may be partially liable—especially if:
- The driver failed to follow company training or safety protocols
- The company’s app pressured drivers to act hastily
- The passenger was improperly dropped off in a dangerous location
These companies carry commercial insurance, which can significantly increase the compensation available to injured cyclists.
Delivery Companies or Commercial Vehicle Owners
FedEx, UPS, Amazon vans, food delivery drivers—these commercial vehicles frequently double-park or swing doors open without warning. And when they do, the employer may share liability under respondeat superior—a legal doctrine that holds companies responsible for their workers’ negligence.
Commercial vehicle cases require aggressive investigation. At Marko Law, we dig deep to expose liability and unlock every source of compensation.
City or Municipality (In Rare Cases)
Sometimes, the danger isn’t the door—it’s the design.
If poor road planning, lack of visibility, or dangerous infrastructure contributed to the crash, a city or government agency might be partly responsible. These cases are complex and require timely notice and expert evidence, but they’re not impossible.
We’ve gone head-to-head with the State of Michigan and won. When public agencies drop the ball, we call them out.
Even If You’re Partially At Fault—You May Still Have a Case
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means:
- You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault
- Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you're found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering non-economic damages—but not economic ones like medical bills
So don’t assume you have no case just because you didn’t have a helmet or were riding close to parked cars. Let us look at the facts.
What to Do If You’ve Been Doored
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you think you’re okay, go get checked out. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like:
- Concussions
- Internal bleeding
- Fractures
- Soft tissue trauma
Call the Police and File an Official Report
Don’t let the driver talk you out of it. Don’t assume it’s “not a big deal.”
Insist on filing a police report. That official document is evidence. It creates a record that the incident occurred, who was involved, and what statements were made. If the officer tries to minimize it, politely push back. Your safety was compromised, and that matters.
Take Photos of Everything
Use your phone or ask a bystander to help. Get clear photos of:
- The open car door
- The make, model, and license plate of the vehicle
- Your injuries
- The bike lane or road where it happened
- Any skid marks, broken gear, or torn clothing
Collect Contact Info from Witnesses and the Driver
Names. Phone numbers. Email addresses. If anyone saw what happened, you want their testimony.
Also, get the driver’s name, license, and insurance details. If it was a rideshare or delivery vehicle, note the company and driver ID. That information can help establish who’s liable—and unlock corporate insurance coverage.
Don’t Deal with Insurance Companies Alone
You may get a call from the driver’s insurance company within hours—sometimes even while you’re still recovering. They’ll sound polite. Helpful. “We just need a quick statement.”
Don’t do it.
Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. You’re not obligated to speak with them without legal representation.
Before you sign anything or make a recorded statement, call a lawyer who’s fought these battles—and won.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Seek?
Medical Expenses
From the second you hit the ground, the costs begin:
- ER visits
- X-rays, CT scans, MRIs
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Follow-up appointments and long-term care
Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential
If your injuries forced you to miss work—or even end your career—you have a right to recover that income.
This isn’t just about your current paycheck. It’s about what you would’ve earned next month, next year, or for the rest of your life if you can’t go back to your job.
Pain and Suffering
Broken bones and bruises eventually fade. But the emotional trauma doesn’t.
- Daily physical pain
- PTSD when you get back on a bike
- Anxiety in traffic
- Depression during recovery
Property Damage
Let’s not forget your bike—often your transportation, hobby, or even livelihood.
You can recover the cost of:
- Bicycle repair
- Full replacement
- Damaged gear (helmet, lights, phone, bags)
Punitive Damages
In cases where the other party acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard—for example, a driver who opened a door after being warned multiple times, or a delivery company ignoring a pattern of dooring complaints—you might be entitled to punitive damages.
These aren’t about covering your losses—they’re about punishing the wrongdoer and sending a message: this can’t happen again.
You Deserve Accountability—Not Just an Apology
Getting “doored” while biking isn’t just bad luck—it’s the result of someone else’s carelessness. And it’s completely preventable.
Whether it was a distracted driver, a careless passenger, or a company that failed to train its employees, you didn’t deserve to be injured. And you sure as hell don’t deserve to be blamed for it.
Michigan law stands behind you. So do we.
At Marko Law, we’ve built a reputation for holding negligent people—and the companies that enable them—fully accountable. We don’t settle for lowball offers or empty apologies. We demand real justice for the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial fallout you’re forced to deal with.
📞 Call us today at 1-833-MARKO-LAW or+1 313-777-7777
📍 Visit us in Downtown Detroit: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Explore your rights at www.markolaw.com
