A dooring accident happens when someone opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist. These crashes are common wherever bicycles share the road with parked cars, and they raise specific questions about fault and insurance. Azari Law, LLC represents injured cyclists in Wheaton and across Maryland, and the issues below come up in many of those cases.
What Maryland Law Says About Opening a Car Door
Maryland addresses dooring directly. Under Maryland’s door opening statute, a person may not open a vehicle door on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe and will not interfere with other traffic. The law also prohibits leaving that door open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
This duty applies to any person who opens the door. A passenger stepping out of a rideshare vehicle owes the same care as the driver.
Cyclists Share the Same Rights on the Road
Bicycles are vehicles under Maryland law. The Maryland State Highway Administration tells drivers to look for bicyclists before opening a car door.
A dooring case is still a negligence claim. The rider must show that the other person owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused the injuries, which are the basic elements of negligence in Maryland.
Who May Be Responsible for the Crash
Liability isn’t always limited to one person. Depending on the facts, responsible parties and sources of coverage may include:
- Drivers have a statutory duty to check for cyclists before opening a door.
- Passengers are personally responsible for their own carelessness, even when someone else was driving.
- Employers may share liability when the crash happened during a delivery or other work task.
Identifying every responsible party and insurance policy is one of the first steps a Wheaton, MD bicycle accident lawyer takes in a dooring case.
How Contributory Negligence Affects a Dooring Claim
Maryland still follows contributory negligence. Under this rule, an injured person found even partly at fault may be barred from recovering any compensation. A 2026 legislative fiscal note confirms that Maryland is one of only four states, along with the District of Columbia, that keeps this defense.
Insurers raise it often. They may argue that the cyclist rode too close to parked cars or rode at night without a front lamp, and each argument can be answered with evidence gathered early.
Evidence That Supports a Cyclist’s Claim
Useful evidence includes scene photographs, the position of the open door, witness statements, and video from nearby businesses. Security footage is often recorded over after a short period. A Wheaton personal injury lawyer can send preservation requests before that footage is gone.
Riders who give early recorded statements sometimes describe the crash in ways that insurance adjusters later use to argue contributory negligence.
Injuries and Damages After a Dooring Collision
Dooring crashes often throw a rider over the handlebars or into the travel lane. Head injuries and wrist or collarbone fractures are common, and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury don’t always appear right away.
An injured cyclist may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Filing Deadlines for Bicycle Injury Claims
Most Maryland personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the date of injury, as the Maryland People’s Law Library explains.
Speaking With an Attorney About a Dooring Crash
If an opening car door caused your bicycle crash, a Wheaton, MD bicycle accident lawyer at Azari Law, LLC can review how the collision happened, who may be responsible, and what coverage applies. Contact our firm to discuss your options under Maryland law.