Negligent drivers, weather conditions, potholes – bicyclists face many dangers when they choose to brave the urban and residential streets of California. However, there is a new threat all cyclists need to be aware of: rideshare passenger car doors. Our personal injury law firm has experienced a surge of claims involving bicyclists being “car-doored” by careless Uber and Lyft passengers.
The Problem
Uber and Lyft drivers often drop their passengers off in bike lanes. When the driver pulls over, the exiting passenger automatically assumes it’s safe to open the car door. The average passenger doesn’t think to look back for approaching cyclists before swinging the door open and vacating the vehicle. Consequently, a passing cyclist can be seriously injured or even killed if they collide with a car door.
Several catastrophic injuries have been linked to car door collisions, including but not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
Rideshare companies are aware of this problem; in fact, Uber has rolled out a “Bike Lane Alert” that pushes text notifications to passengers who are being dropped off in certain areas. The alert reminds passengers to check behind them before opening car doors.
Do You Require Legal Representation?
At McGee, Lerer & Associates, we have represented many cyclists who were injured by exiting Uber and Lyft passengers. We are so concerned about this issue that we created a car window sticker that reminds exiting passengers to look for cyclists. We give the sticker out to cyclists and rideshare drivers alike. If you would like a free sticker, please contact our firm.
Likewise, if you are a bicyclist who was injured in a car-dooring accident, you should consult with a bicycle accident attorney at our firm about your rights. If you need assistance with getting medical treatment, we can refer you to a medical provider who can treat you on a lien basis. A “lien” means that the medical provider agrees to wait to be paid until your case settles.
To learn more about your legal and medical options, contact McGee, Lerer & Associates at (562) 270-0546 today.