Doored While Cycling: Can I Claim?
Reviewed by McAMS, regulated motorcycle accident specialists
Yes. If a driver or passenger opened a car door into your path and you were injured, they are usually at fault. Opening a door carelessly onto a passing cyclist is an offence, so liability generally rests with the person who opened it, and you can typically claim for your injury and any losses.
Find out if you can claim in 60 seconds
Free and no obligation. Tell us where the accident happened and a specialist will call you back.
Where did the accident happen?
Free · No obligation · Takes about 60 seconds
Contents
What is dooring?
Dooring is when someone opens a car door into the path of a passing cyclist without checking it is clear. The rider is often left with no time to react and either strikes the door or swerves and comes off the bike.
It commonly happens alongside parked cars and in the door zone next to moving traffic. Because the cyclist usually has no realistic chance to avoid it, dooring cases tend to be treated seriously when it comes to who was responsible.
Who is usually at fault when a cyclist is doored?
Liability generally rests with the person who opened the door, whether that was the driver or a passenger. The law expects anyone opening a vehicle door to check it is safe to do so first, and the Highway Code is clear on that duty.
Opening a door carelessly so that it endangers or injures someone is an offence, which is why the person who opened it is usually held responsible. The owner of the vehicle and their insurer may also come into it. A specialist firm can identify who the claim should be brought against.
What evidence helps a dooring claim?
As with any cycling case, evidence makes a real difference. Photographs of the scene, the position of the vehicle and the open door, and the details of the vehicle and the person who opened it are all valuable. Note the registration if you can.
Witness details, any dashcam or helmet-camera footage, nearby CCTV and a record of the police report or incident number all help too. If you were hurt, getting your injuries seen and documented by a medical professional creates an important record for the claim.
What injuries are common from being doored?
Being doored can throw a rider onto the road or into traffic, so injuries range from cuts, bruises and broken bones to shoulder, wrist and head injuries. Soft-tissue damage and lasting pain are common even where nothing is broken.
There can be a psychological impact as well, such as anxiety about cycling again. Whatever the injury, it is worth having it assessed properly, both for your health and so that its effect is fully reflected if you decide to claim.
What if the door was opened by a passenger, not the driver?
It does not have to be the driver at fault. A passenger who opens a door into your path can be responsible for the accident in the same way, and the claim can still proceed.
Working out exactly who is liable and which insurer responds is part of what a specialist firm does. You do not need to have all of that resolved before you get in touch, as the important thing is to capture the details while they are fresh.
How do I take the specialist route?
We are not solicitors and we do not handle claims ourselves. We are a claims introduction service. When you contact us we listen to what happened and, if it looks like you may have a claim, we can connect you with a regulated specialist firm that deals with dooring and other cycling cases.
The introduction is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. With your consent we pass your details to the firm, and we may receive a fee from them, but you pay us nothing. An injury claim in the UK generally has a three-year time limit, so it is wise not to leave it too long.
Need specific advice for your situation?
Every accident is unique. Speak to our specialist team for a no-obligation assessment of your case.
Start your no win no fee claim enquiryQuestions riders ask
Answers to common queries regarding the claims process.
Related Guides
Knocked Off Bicycle
If a driver or another party caused your cycling accident and you were injured, you can usually claim compensation. The key question is fault: if someone else was responsible for knocking you off, you may be able to recover money for your injuries, your bicycle, your kit and your financial losses. We are not solicitors, but we can connect you with a regulated specialist firm, free and with no obligation.
Crash Evidence
The strongest bike crash claims are built on evidence gathered early: driver and vehicle details, photos of the scene and damage, witness contacts, dashcam or helmet-cam footage, and a prompt medical record. This applies to bicycle, e-bike, scooter and motorbike crashes alike. We are not solicitors. We connect you with a regulated specialist firm for a free, no-obligation review.
No Win No Fee
Most UK cycling injury claims run on a no-win-no-fee basis, which means a Conditional Fee Agreement, or CFA. If the claim does not succeed you generally pay no legal fee, and if it succeeds a success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is designed so you can pursue a claim without paying upfront.
This guide is general information about motorcycle accident claims in the UK. It is not legal or financial advice. Bike Crash Claims is an introducer: we connect riders with regulated specialist solicitors and motorcycle accident specialists, and we are not solicitors ourselves. Whether you can claim, and what any claim may be worth, always depends on your individual circumstances, and nothing here is a guarantee of any outcome or amount. For advice on your own situation, please speak to a regulated specialist.
Start your enquiry
Crashed your bike? We can connect you with specialists.
If the accident wasn't your fault, join the riders who've been connected to legal partners and explored their options for replacement bikes and compensation.
No upfront fees. Introductory service.