Opening a car door – motorbike accident claims

Motorcyclists often have to be wary of moving cars on the road, whose drivers sometimes fail to notice road users on smaller vehicles. But there is still a risk when car drivers are stationary: when opening a car door, some drivers or their passengers fail to use their mirrors or windows properly to check for all surrounding traffic, and they may miss a motorcyclist approaching on the road.

While many may regard this as a simple mistake, it can demonstrate a carelessness for the full range of road users that people have to look out for. In fact, the motorcyclists hit can be seriously injured in the collision, simply because of a needless mistake on the part of a driver or a passenger.

Not only are motorcyclists more vulnerable road users, they are sometimes unfairly stigmatised as more reckless or dangerous road users by some car drivers. We aim to advocate for injured motorcyclists who have sustained injuries through no fault of their own, as we know many other drivers are all too willing to shift the blame. If you are a motorcyclist who has been injured by another road user’s negligence, please do not hesitate to contact us for free, no-obligation advice on you potential claim.

Accidents caused by opening a car door

Although we expect most major accidents to be caused by a collision of two or more moving vehicles, a considerable amount of damage can be caused by something as simple as opening a car door. When moving at a high speed, motorcyclists cannot be expected to foresee when a stationary car’s door will open. However, we can reasonably expect drivers or passengers sitting in a parked car to check their mirrors and their blind spot before opening a car door as a means of ensuring they will not hit an oncoming motorbike.

As it is the parked driver who bears the responsibility of managing the risks of this situation, motorcyclists can be eligible to claim compensation for the injuries caused by opening a car door. If a passenger is at fault, you may still be eligible to claim, and the case could be directed to the insurers of the driver of the vehicle.

What can you claim for?

In many injury claims, those affected can be entitled to claim compensation in two categories: General Damages and Special Damages. General Damages can cover the pain, suffering and inconvenience caused by the injury, and the award will generally increase or decrease according to the severity of the injury. For example, if you have broken an arm bone which will heal in time, you may be awarded less that someone who has sustained permanent organ damage.

Special Damages can account for any financial impact of the accident by allowing victims to claim for any losses or expenses. For instance, if you have had to pay for pain medication as you recover from the injury, these costs could be reimbursed. Also, motorcyclists may be able to recover compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle or for any protective equipment.

Start your claim now

No motorbike injury is less worthy of a claim than another, so you should never feel unsure about claiming for an injury caused by a driver opening a car door. Depending on the facts of the case, you likely bear none of the blame in this situation, so we encourage you to come forward to claim compensation.

Victims may be eligible for thousands or tens of thousands of pounds, so call us today for free, no-obligation advice on your potential claim.