Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
By Zneimer & Zneimer P.C.
A tragic bicycle fatality in Bridgeport has once again highlighted one of the most overlooked dangers facing Chicago cyclists: “dooring.”
According to recent reports, 35-year-old Riley O’Neil, a Chicago Department of Transportation employee and advocate for safer streets, was riding his bicycle in a marked bike lane when a parked vehicle’s door was opened directly into his path. The impact threw him into traffic, where he was struck by an oncoming truck and killed. (Chicago Sun-Times)
This heartbreaking incident demonstrates a problem that exists throughout Chicago’s bicycle network. Many so-called bike lanes are nothing more than painted stripes running immediately adjacent to parked cars. Cyclists are often forced to ride within what transportation planners call the “door zone”—the area where a parked car’s door can suddenly swing open.
What Is “Dooring”?
Dooring accidents are one of the most common types of bike injury cases that the bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. encounter. Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist.
Unlike many bicycle crashes, dooring often gives the cyclist little or no time to react. A rider traveling at normal city speeds may have only a fraction of a second to avoid a suddenly opened door. Swerving can send the cyclist into moving traffic. Hitting the door can throw the rider over the handlebars or directly into the roadway.
The results can be catastrophic.
Chicago Law Prohibits Dooring
Many drivers do not realize that opening a vehicle door into traffic is illegal.
Chicago Municipal Code Section 9-80-035 provides:
“No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so.”
The ordinance further prohibits leaving a vehicle door open in a manner that interferes with traffic. Bicyclists are traffic under Illinois and Chicago law, and drivers have a legal duty to ensure it is safe before opening a door into a bicycle lane or roadway.
Unfortunately, many motorists simply fail to look.
A driver parks, checks a text message, grabs a bag, and swings open the door without ever checking a mirror or looking over a shoulder for approaching cyclists.
For a bicyclist, that momentary lapse can be fatal.
The Problem with Chicago’s Painted Bike Lanes
Protected bike lanes place physical barriers between cyclists and parked vehicles. But much of Chicago’s bike network still consists of painted lanes running directly alongside parked cars.
These lanes may give cyclists a designated space, but they often place riders exactly where an opening car door can strike them. The painted bike lane may give bikers a false sense they are riding in a safe lane when they are not. Bikers must keep a constant look out for car doors opening.
The recent Bridgeport tragedy has renewed calls for more protected bicycle infrastructure because painted lanes alone do not eliminate the risk of dooring. When cyclists are squeezed between parked cars and moving traffic, they are left with few safe options when a door suddenly opens.
Why Evidence Matters in Dooring Cases
One of the biggest mistakes injured cyclists make is assuming liability will be obvious.
It often isn’t.
Drivers may claim:
- The cyclist was riding too fast.
- The cyclist was outside the bike lane.
- The cyclist hit an already-open door.
- The cyclist could have avoided the collision.
- The cyclist hit the side rearview mirror while the door was closed.
These defenses can become much harder to challenge if crucial evidence disappears.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer should immediately investigate:
- City traffic cameras
- Private security cameras
- Business surveillance footage
- CTA bus cameras
- Dashcam recordings
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage and physical evidence from the scene
Many video systems automatically overwrite footage within days. If evidence preservation letters are not sent quickly, valuable proof may be lost forever.
In serious injury and wrongful death cases, video footage can make the difference between a disputed claim and clear proof of negligence.
What To Do After a Dooring Crash
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dooring accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Call the police and obtain a report.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicle, and the bicycle if possible.
- Obtain witness contact information.
- Do not provide recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice.
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible so critical video and electronic evidence can be preserved.
We Represent Injured Cyclists Throughout Chicago
Chicago’s streets should be safe for everyone, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
When a driver carelessly opens a door into the path of a bicyclist, the injuries can be devastating. If you have been injured in a bicycle crash caused by dooring, it is important to consult with an experienced bike injury lawyer. The bike injury lawyers at Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. can investigate the incident, preserve crucial evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, contact Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. today.