Warning for Milwaukee Bikers
Opening car doors continue to pose danger to bicyclists
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
Bicyclists face a lot of dangers when they are out on the road. Drivers of nearby cars often don’t know how to react to them and don’t understand what bicyclists’ rights are. This can lead to car accidents. But there’s another danger that many don’t ever think of: car doors.
Think about it: sometimes bikers are trying to navigate crowded and busy streets. If a motorist who has just parallel parked isn’t paying attention, he or she could open their door right into the face of an unsuspecting bicyclist.
Bicyclists have limited time and distance to be able to react appropriately to the sudden hazard. If a person is traveling on their bike at a speed of 15 or 20 mph and suddenly hits a car door, the injuries can be more than just minor.
Legislators in Wisconsin know there’s a problem, as evidenced by Act 22, which was passed in 2009. That acts stipulates that motorists are prohibited from opening car doors on a highway without making sure it won’t endanger any other person or vehicle. Children under the age of 16 are also prohibited from opening the doors until the driver has checked things out first. For their part, bicyclists are required to use due care when passing parked vehicles.
Another thing drivers can do is check their side mirrors – particularly the mirror on the side of traffic. Spotting a bicyclist in the distance and holding the door closed a moment longer could prevent some serious injuries.
If both drivers and bicyclists take extra precautions, serious “car door” injuries can be prevented.
Source: Vancouver Sun, “Drivers, check your mirrors before opening doors,” Sandra Glendinning, Sept. 23, 2011
If you have suffered an injury in an accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. to see if you are entitled to compensation.