A dored - Car Dooring, Being Doored, "Given the Door"

Was on my way home coming down Hammersmith Road Westward toward the junction with the North End Road - filtering down on the left hand side of the traffic in the designated cycle lane toward the ASL.

The passenger in a flatbed truck decided he wanted some cigarettes, and opened the cab door directly into me as I was heading past at about 10-12mph. Cue me doing a bit of a superman, and the bike flying through the air. Luckily the cyclist behind me stopped and did a great job of calling an ambulance, calling my wife, getting the vehicle details etc.

So I got a nice ambulance ride (after first being treated by a bicycle paramedic), and diagnosed with a partially dislocated shoulder, a bunch of cuts and scratches, and some gluteal soft tissue damage. I've been issued with a sling, told to rest for a week or two and stay off the bike. What a bummer.... On the positive side, there's very little visible damage to the bike - the bars are a bit bent, the stem has a big white mark from the door, and the front wheel is a little out of true. I presume I'll drop it off with someone like Condor for a quote to re-instate it to it's original condition. I managed to twist the bottom end of the cab door upward though....

Quick question - has anyone in a similar situation used a solicitor to press for damages - I'm probably going to give the CTC's recommended solicitor Russell, Jones &Walker a call tomorrow.

RJW are a very specialist claimants personal injury firm. They should know what they are doing. Have the advanctage of the CTC link up as well. Fraser Whitehead there is a top man.

Hope you recover quickly from your injuries.

That's a fucker. I hope you recover quickly.

oooo nasty... its one of those things you know its gonna happen to you one day. heal up.

...got any pics ;)

I'm a bike paramedic might have been me... but it wasn't. get well soon

RJW were very good with me and told me straight when i didn't have a chance in hell.
Somehow a witness came forward and said that i was in the wrong (i was in the cycle lane) and that was the end of that. I had no hope a year and half after the accident of getting any help.
Still, they didn't charge me for their time as they couldn't help.

Hope you mend swiftly.

Chris

How were you in the wrong if you were in a cycle lane?

sorry to hear that!
I can't believe that people don't look, he could easily have been taken out by a car, bus, hgv, anything. crazy....
I remember me 8 years old being told off by my aunt "NEVER OPEN A CAR DOOR WITHOUT LOOKING!" as I almost took out a ped's legs. I also got knocked down at about the same age by a moped as silly me crossed stationary traffic.

sorry to hear that!
I can't believe that people don't look, he could easily have been taken out by a car, bus, hgv, anything. crazy....

Do hearing people tend to lazily listen if there's a car coming instead of looking? I mean like simply if there's no engine and such they just walk across the road instead of looking properly?

an old lady did this to me a couple years back in paddington, i was fine, the door on her new mercedes wasn't, it bent right back and wouldn't close, even slamming it :)

also, if u say there is very little damage, why try to claim money? fair enough if u or ur bike are totally fucked, but i don't get it if there is no big fuss.

this sounds like it could've been really bad. glad you're not worse off, although the injuries sounds bad enough.

I don't think of claiming for something like this in the same way as most American 'SUE 'EM!' attitudes. If it was clearly an accident with no guilty party but he then went on to try and claim because he fell off due to wet tarmac or something, then it would be ridiculous. In this scenario, I think the doofus responsible should be made to be held accountable for his actions. Not ruin his life or business or anything, just not let him off scot free.

also, if u say there is very little damage, why try to claim money? fair enough if u or ur bike are totally fucked, but i don't get it if there is no big fuss.

Because with my right arm in a sling I can't ride or drive for a week (tube and train fares) cook properly, write or type normally, I'm in pain when I sleep and hence don't sleep well and I keep having to hoover up painkillers, all because of someone else's carelessness....

Get whatever you can I say.

absolutely.

I've said it before, you must follow these things up, why should you suffer cos of some careless cunt's bad driving?

even if you and your bike are ok, what about all the other poor shits who end up dead/in hospital/off work/maimed and never get the chance to claim?

the majority of motorists only understand the language of money, hit them back where it'll make them take notice.

Yes you should claim specially if your shoulder is going to require some long-term treatment.
Also let us know how things have worked out for you.
Take care

absolutely.
I've said it before, you must follow these things up, why should you suffer cos of some careless cunt's bad driving?
even if you and your bike are ok, what about all the other poor shits who end up dead/in hospital/off work/maimed and never get the chance to claim?
the majority of motorists only understand the language of money, hit them back where it'll make them take notice.

Tell this to 31trum.. he needs to report his recent rear-ending.. :)

that might be best discussed with a counselor..

oi!

I hope their door was totally wrecked.

Happens in Cambridge all the time, you'd think people would be slightly more alert in a heavily bicycle populated city but it only takes one person having a thoughtless day.... Bam.

How were you in the wrong if you were in a cycle lane?

I'm not entirely sure. They had a witness who claimed i was in the wrong, that seemed good enough and was more than i had. Still, i only broke a finger in the accident. At least i'm alive, maybe i was being a bit greedy expecting compensation.

Chris

Sorry to hear this Si. Mend soon.

i slammed pretty hard into the edge of a Cadillac's door once last summer, and it just bruised my shoulder. his door was a little bent and couldn't quite close proper, but after going back and yelling hegot mouthy and i rode off with his door bent AND dented.

i consider myself very lucky. i've seen a few very nasty hits in my time riding.

but after going back and yelling hegot mouthy and i rode off with his door bent AND dented.

Oh the syntax ! :)

Was the door heavy ?

Unlucky man but the effort to fight this might cost more than what you would get back.

spend half a day watching day time tv. there is a no win no fee advert every 20 mins.

I got a great bit of advice from a fellow cyclist, when ever this happens to him he has steered towards the car giving him a softer cushion (the person getting out) their door can take the blow and you lessen the chance of being pushed out into moving traffic.

Bad luck dude - the injuries always hurt!

I had a nasty accident a few years ago when a cab turned right across me and I hit hard. I got knocked out, had temporary amnesia (still can't remember a few hours either side of the accident), a broken nose, around 10 stitches in my chin and generally looked like I'd a rough night out in Glasgow. I used Bikeline, who specialise in bike and motorbike claims, to press for damages. It took about a year and required about £500 upfront for insurance in case I lost (although they don't charge a fee if you lose, you are liable for court costs, doctor's bills etc), but I ended up getting quite a bit of cash in the end. As with all conditional fee agreements, their fees get paid by the other side if you win, rather than coming out of your compensation.

I don't have any connection with them other than as a satisfied customer. They are based in Cheshire so did everything by email, phone and post. They took care of all the arrangements and i just had to show up to a doctor or fill out forms whenever they came through. Send me a PM if you want more info.