As the weather starts to warm up again, Connecticut residents are getting their bicycles out of the garage and transitioning from cycling on their indoor bikes to their neighborhood streets and beyond.
While drivers are among the biggest risks to cyclists on the road, a vehicle doesn’t have to be moving to be dangerous. “Dooring” can cause serious and even fatal injuries for those on bicycles.
What is dooring?
What’s commonly known as “dooring” is when a driver opens the door of a parked car towards the street, and a bicyclist runs into the door. (It can also happen to others on scooters as well as to runners.)
Dooring is typically unintentional on the driver’s part. It happens because people typically look for oncoming vehicles before they open their door when they park on a street. However, they too often don’t look for bicyclists — and a bicyclist may be headed straight for where the door is about to open.
It’s often too late for the cyclist to do anything but hit the door – or swerve out of the way and into traffic. Whether they’re thrown into traffic by the door or move into traffic to avoid the door, being hit by another vehicle is what most often leads to catastrophic and fatal injuries.
What does Connecticut law say?
Most states have laws that directly or indirectly address dooring. Under Connecticut law, “No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle in such a manner as to cause physical contact with moving traffic with such door, provided moving traffic is traveling at a reasonable rate of speed and with due regard for the safety of all persons and property.” Under the law, “moving traffic” includes any “motor vehicle, bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter using a highway for the purpose of travel….”
Violating this state law is only a criminal infraction for the driver unless it’s determined that they intentionally sought to harm someone. However, victims and surviving loved ones can potentially seek compensation via the civil courts to cover medical expenses and other financial losses as well as non-economic damages. Getting sound legal guidance as soon as possible can help Connecticut residents determine the best way forward.
