View Full Version : just got doored
orguasch
06-15-04, 09:55 PM
Was out for a quick spin at the Lakeshore Path, when a white taxi suddenly stop, in the middle of the road and his passenger open the left door, I swerved and hit his door, I got a swollen left arms becuase of the lady opening the door in the middle of the road, and the taxi driver was blaming me for the accident, I was already very upset and started yelling at the driver telling him if he was letting off a passenger he should stop nearest to the curb and not at the middle of the road, I hate this stupid drivers :crash: :crash: :crash:
Did the authorities get involved? Hope you got his taxi # and that you're ok.
Trek Rider
06-15-04, 10:00 PM
Were you behind him or riding towards him?
orguasch
06-15-04, 10:02 PM
No cops, I was behind him, Hope the sweeling stops and so that I can ride my bike tomorrow,
Trek Rider
06-15-04, 10:04 PM
Well, you did run into his car. To me, this means you either not paying attention, or you were too close to stop in time to not hit him.
madpogue
06-15-04, 10:19 PM
Are motor vehicles permitted on this "lakeshore path"?
Chris L
06-15-04, 10:44 PM
Was out for a quick spin at the Lakeshore Path,
<snip>
I got a swollen left arms becuase of the lady opening the door in the middle of the road,
There seem to be one or two contradictions here. Exactly where is the Lakeshore Path relative to the position of the road?
Well, you did run into his car. To me, this means you either not paying attention, or you were too close to stop in time to not hit him.
BS on this. It is the responsibility of the motorist not to open his door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, and not to let his passengers do so, either. :mad: That's usually the law. The cab passenger should prob. not be getting out on the traffic (left) side of the cab, either. In NYC I believe the cabs are now rq'd to have warnings posted w/r/t this, for their passengers.
On the other hand, I try never to ride w/in dooring distance of any parked car... :eek:
orguasch
06-16-04, 04:30 AM
Lakeshore Path, is a shared road meaning there is a designated bike lane and a roadway,
In NY, I just found out bout this thing called the no-fault clause that places the obligation on the motorist and their insurance should pay for it.
This is just like a driver opening their door into 50mph traffic and getting creamed, it really is the responsibility of the driver. In your case it's both the driver and the passenger.
Dahon.Steve
06-16-04, 06:39 AM
Was out for a quick spin at the Lakeshore Path, when a white taxi suddenly stop, in the middle of the road and his passenger open the left door, I swerved and hit his door, I got a swollen left arms becuase of the lady opening the door in the middle of the road, and the taxi driver was blaming me for the accident, I was already very upset and started yelling at the driver telling him if he was letting off a passenger he should stop nearest to the curb and not at the middle of the road, I hate this stupid drivers :crash: :crash: :crash:
It amazes me all the accidents people have with the motorist and NEVER ask for insurance papers or call for an ambulance. The poster on this forum lost several hundred dollars or possibly several THOUSAND dollars in compensation. The least he could have done was file a small claims suit against the driver's insurance and see what happens. I can assure you, he would have got something as the insurnace company is not going to pay an attorney to represent this case in court.
I had been doored in the early 1990's and received almost 2K for hosipital bills/pain and suffering. I had a scratch on my ankle and a bruised foot.
orguasch
06-16-04, 07:04 AM
It amazes me all the accidents people have with the motorist and NEVER ask for insurance papers or call for an ambulance. The poster on this forum lost several hundred dollars or possibly several THOUSAND dollars in compensation. The least he could have done was file a small claims suit against the driver's insurance and see what happens. I can assure you, he would have got something as the insurnace company is not going to pay an attorney to represent this case in court.
I had been doored in the early 1990's and received almost 2K for hosipital bills/pain and suffering. I had a scratch on my ankle and a bruised foot.
I totally agree with you, but I don't want to waste my time, life is to short for me to be running after this kind of people, I still beleive in Karma, what goes around comes around....
Roughstuff
06-16-04, 07:14 AM
Was out for a quick spin at the Lakeshore Path, when a white taxi suddenly stop, in the middle of the road and his passenger open the left door, I swerved and hit his door, I got a swollen left arms becuase of the lady opening the door in the middle of the road, and the taxi driver was blaming me for the accident, I was already very upset and started yelling at the driver telling him if he was letting off a passenger he should stop nearest to the curb and not at the middle of the road, I hate this stupid drivers :crash: :crash: :crash:
For Pete's sakes; the victimization syndrome that many cyclists have drives me batty. Have you never heard of anticipating what drivers might do? The taxi guy stopped in the middle of the road. That sets off all kinds of bells and whistles in my head. An open door is one of least obnoxious things that could happen! He could try and pull a U-ey; he could have resumed going forward, which would endanger you if you tried to pass him. You name it. The response I would have in this caseis simple: Hit my brakes. I don't want to be anywhere near this guy (and moving) until I figure out what the hell is going on.
Yesterday a guy pulled out in front of me from the right at an intersection. I knew 100% it was gonna happen. He was driving a small truck with a landscaping gear in tow. When he came to the intersection I could see that I was completely blocked out by his oversized driver side rear view mirror. I slowed down, he 'cut me off' and saw me as he entered the roadway (the angle is now different, his rear view mirror does not obstruct), and I just waved him the rest of the way into the roadway. I don't care what the law says, to me an accident or bad feelings were avoided by my properly anticipating what the other guy was gonna do. End of story.
roughstuff
Oscar,
Sorry to hear about that. I am gald that you are not seriously hurt. Put some ice on the arm and get back out on your bike.
roughstuff
Ok... but next time a parked car opens its door and slams you, don't complain.
Next time a basketball rolls onto the street and creams you, don't complain either.
I admit I've hit cars before, broke the mirror off a parked police car once when I got squeezed by a delivery truck and the parked car. Sure I could've waited for the delivery truck to pass, but I didn't. It almost killed me, I hit the car's mirror. Ok. Sometimes it's not fault but remember, sometimes it's not.
royalflash
06-16-04, 07:55 AM
For Pete's sakes; the victimization syndrome that many cyclists have drives me batty. Have you never heard of anticipating what drivers might do? The taxi guy stopped in the middle of the road. That sets off all kinds of bells and whistles in my head. An open door is one of least obnoxious things that could happen! He could try and pull a U-ey; he could have resumed going forward, which would endanger you if you tried to pass him. You name it. The response I would have in this caseis simple: Hit my brakes. I don't want to be anywhere near this guy (and moving) until I figure out what the hell is going on.
Yesterday a guy pulled out in front of me from the right at an intersection. I knew 100% it was gonna happen. He was driving a small truck with a landscaping gear in tow. When he came to the intersection I could see that I was completely blocked out by his oversized driver side rear view mirror. I slowed down, he 'cut me off' and saw me as he entered the roadway (the angle is now different, his rear view mirror does not obstruct), and I just waved him the rest of the way into the roadway. I don't care what the law says, to me an accident or bad feelings were avoided by my properly anticipating what the other guy was gonna do. End of story.
roughstuff
hindsight is all very well but it is not possible to predict every stupid thing that other people will do. In this case the taxi driver allowed a passenger to open his door into the road/path and struck a cyclist. He is at fault and not orguasch. I understand what you are saying that we need to cycle defensively and do other people's thinking for them. This is of course the way to minimise accidents. This does not mean that we should accept responsibility/liability for the careless behaviour of others though.
One day you will make a mistake roughstuff - however careful you think you are it is just a matter of time/distance covered.
Orguasch - go and see a lawyer/doctor and get a claim in.
Well, you did run into his car. To me, this means you either not paying attention, or you were too close to stop in time to not hit him.
No, no, no! If a car stops in the middle of the road; you proceed to pass him, and a door comes out and pancakes you - IT'S THE PASSENGER'S FAULT 100%!
Now, if a car stops in front of you, and you smack his rear bumper - it's the cyclint's fault for reasons you stated.
Dahon.Steve
06-16-04, 08:32 AM
I totally agree with you, but I don't want to waste my time, life is to short for me to be running after this kind of people, I still beleive in Karma, what goes around comes around....
It took 15 minutes to fill out the small claims report.
It took about 10 minutes to sign off on the papers and receive a check for almost 2K (case never went to court)
It took about 3 minutes to deposit the tax free check.
Total time spend: Half an hour
madpogue
06-16-04, 09:27 AM
Lakeshore Path, is a shared road meaning there is a designated bike lane and a roadway, So did the door cross over into the bike lane when the passenger opened it? Or was the cab itself in the bike lane?
madpogue
06-16-04, 09:33 AM
For Pete's sakes; the victimization syndrome that many cyclists have drives me batty. Have you never heard of anticipating what drivers might do? The taxi guy stopped in the middle of the road. That sets off all kinds of bells and whistles in my head. An open door is one of least obnoxious things that could happen! He could try and pull a U-ey; he could have resumed going forward, which would endanger you if you tried to pass him. You name it. The response I would have in this caseis simple: Hit my brakes. I don't want to be anywhere near this guy (and moving) until I figure out what the hell is going on.
Yesterday a guy pulled out in front of me from the right at an intersection. I knew 100% it was gonna happen. He was driving a small truck with a landscaping gear in tow. When he came to the intersection I could see that I was completely blocked out by his oversized driver side rear view mirror. I slowed down, he 'cut me off' and saw me as he entered the roadway (the angle is now different, his rear view mirror does not obstruct), and I just waved him the rest of the way into the roadway. I don't care what the law says, to me an accident or bad feelings were avoided by my properly anticipating what the other guy was gonna do. End of story.
roughstuffIf I "anticipated" what every driver might do, in every situation I've either been in or seen, my only reasonable reaction to that anticipation would be to stay home. Braking every time a car driver does something that might remotely affect one is a luxury most commuters cannot afford. Yes, agreed, it's a wonderful goal toward which to strive, a great gold standard. But the reality is, a typical bike commute entails risks that, if the cyclist elected not to take a single one of them, s/he would never get to work (or wherever). It's like the "three foot" rule discussed earlier. I'm not advocating people break that rule, or take any unnecessary risk, but some judgement about what is likely to happen (vs. fear in anticipation of every possible thing that could happen) has to be a factor in one's commute.
It amazes me all the accidents people have with the motorist and NEVER ask for insurance papers or call for an ambulance. The poster on this forum lost several hundred dollars or possibly several THOUSAND dollars in compensation. The least he could have done was file a small claims suit against the driver's insurance and see what happens. I can assure you, he would have got something as the insurnace company is not going to pay an attorney to represent this case in court.
I had been doored in the early 1990's and received almost 2K for hosipital bills/pain and suffering. I had a scratch on my ankle and a bruised foot.
a scratch and a bruise hardly sounds like pain and suffering.
way to be part of 'Sue Happy America'......
pathetic.
Trek Rider
06-16-04, 09:48 AM
No, no, no! If a car stops in the middle of the road; you proceed to pass him, and a door comes out and pancakes you - IT'S THE PASSENGER'S FAULT 100%!
Now, if a car stops in front of you, and you smack his rear bumper - it's the cyclint's fault for reasons you stated.
If a car stops in front of me and I go around him, I'm not going to be close enough to hit a door. If you were in a car would you leave so little room to pass another car? I wouldn't and don't. You need to plan ahead and be prepared for something like that.
If a car stops in front of me and I go around him, I'm not going to be close enough to hit a door. If you were in a car would you leave so little room to pass another car? I wouldn't and don't. You need to plan ahead and be prepared for something like that.
Where do you live? Any experience riding in large metropolitan areas?
orguasch
06-16-04, 10:31 AM
It took 15 minutes to fill out the small claims report.
It took about 10 minutes to sign off on the papers and receive a check for almost 2K (case never went to court)
It took about 3 minutes to deposit the tax free check.
Total time spend: Half an hour
You live in New Jersey,
I am here in Toronto, can yopu imagine what's like here in T.O., it will take you months or even year to have your case be called in the Court, so if I am going to skip my work and attend to this matter, I would have miss a full days pay, I will just charge it to expirience.
as for going around the car when a door open, back in 1999, a co worker of mine was going to work, when a car pulled over and the driver open the door, Brian that's his name (may his soul rest in peace), so what he did was swerved to the left and he was run over a delivery truck, he was struck by the truck (it was an ugly site, ) brains were all over the road, the truck driver was very sorry and he was saying that it was his fault, but as soon as the police came, he was blaming the accident to Brian
as in my case, I didn't have enought time to apply the brakes, I swerved to the right and I tried fending of the impact of the hit by extending my left arm towards the open door.
Anywayz, thanks everybody for the concern, my left are is swollen and black and blue, nothing major, was able to ride my bike this morning, did a 70 k ride
You live in New Jersey,
I am here in Toronto, can yopu imagine what's like here in T.O., it will take you months or even year to have your case be called in the Court, so if I am going to skip my work and attend to this matter, I would have miss a full days pay, I will just charge it to expirience.
as for going around the car when a door open, back in 1999, a co worker of mine was going to work, when a car pulled over and the driver open the door, Brian that's his name (may his soul rest in peace), so what he did was swerved to the left and he was run over a delivery truck, he was struck by the truck (it was an ugly site, ) brains were all over the road, the truck driver was very sorry and he was saying that it was his fault, but as soon as the police came, he was blaming the accident to Brian
as in my case, I didn't have enought time to apply the brakes, I swerved to the right and I tried fending of the impact of the hit by extending my left arm towards the open door.
Anywayz, thanks everybody for the concern, my left are is swollen and black and blue, nothing major, was able to ride my bike this morning, did a 70 k ride
I know it won't help ease the pain with your friend but I make it a priority to fall into the car if I'm about to get doored. I just have it on my mind when I'm on the street and a situation arises that has even a remote chance of me being doored. My reasoning is if I'm riding far enough out, I won't get doored. If I'm riding close enough because of circumstances, then the's traffic to my left and I can no afford to fall to my left at all costs.
Roughstuff
06-16-04, 02:44 PM
One day you will make a mistake roughstuff - however careful you think you are it is just a matter of time/distance covered.
Orguasch - go and see a lawyer/doctor and get a claim in.
Good point and well taken. Thats why the law needs to be on the right side in this case (the taxi one). I am not sure if it was the passenger or the taxi driver's neglect from a legal standpoint, though I have major problems with a guy allowing his traffic side door (left rear)to be opened. Someday it won't be a BIKE that hits his taxi, it will be a Winnebago.
By the way I have had two major cycling accidents; once with a curb (broke my kneecap in two); once with a small car in japan (my fault...my brakes didn't stop me in time; bruised a few ribs and my ego).
Not bad for over 150k miles of riding.
roughstuff
Chris L
06-16-04, 09:07 PM
a scratch and a bruise hardly sounds like pain and suffering.
way to be part of 'Sue Happy America'......
pathetic.
Pathetic or not, if it makes the other party think twice before doing something stupid that might affect others in the future, it'w worth doing.
LittleBigMan
06-16-04, 09:53 PM
Was out for a quick spin at the Lakeshore Path, when a white taxi suddenly stop, in the middle of the road and his passenger open the left door, I swerved and hit his door, I got a swollen left arms becuase of the lady opening the door in the middle of the road, and the taxi driver was blaming me for the accident, I was already very upset and started yelling at the driver telling him if he was letting off a passenger he should stop nearest to the curb and not at the middle of the road, I hate this stupid drivers :crash: :crash: :crash:
Oscar, I didn't take time to read this whole thread, so if I'm repeating anyone, sorry. What that lady and driver did were illegal and if you pressed charges, you'd be in the right. Some of the taxi drivers around here don't seem to know the laws.
I'm sorry this happened to such a great guy, man!
Keep on cycling, my friend!
pyze-guy
06-16-04, 10:10 PM
Lakeshore Path, is a shared road meaning there is a designated bike lane and a roadway,
Where is Lakeshore Path in T.O.?
CrimsonCyclist
06-16-04, 10:43 PM
From cyclingnews.com today:
"Proving that it can happen to any of us, Johan Museeuw was involved in a collision with an unexpectedly-opened car door on Tuesday morning. Museeuw was riding to the Quick.Step - Davitamon Service Course in Wevelgem when a motorist opened the door of a parked car right in his path. With no way of avoiding the obstacle, Museeuw collided with it and fell, bruising his shoulder and sustaining a cut on his neck.
As they used to say on Hill Street Blues - let's be careful out there."
Dahon.Steve
06-17-04, 07:04 AM
a scratch and a bruise hardly sounds like pain and suffering.
way to be part of 'Sue Happy America'......
pathetic.
Quite the contrary.....
When the accident happened, I was in huge pain. The ambulance was certain I broke my leg.
Dahon.Steve
06-17-04, 07:10 AM
You live in New Jersey,
I am here in Toronto, can yopu imagine what's like here in T.O., it will take you months or even year to have your case be called in the Court, so if I am going to skip my work and attend to this matter, I would have miss a full days pay, I will just charge it to expirience.
Same here in New Jersey. The case would have taken months before it goes to court. I didn't care because all the hospital bills came out of my pocket and I wanted compensation. Guess what? The case never went to court. Your case will probably never go to court. The insurance company will send an agent with a big fat check to your house as they did in my case.
I never missed a full days pay or school.
From cyclingnews.com today:
"Proving that it can happen to any of us, Johan Museeuw was involved in a collision with an unexpectedly-opened car door on Tuesday morning. Museeuw was riding to the Quick.Step - Davitamon Service Course in Wevelgem when a motorist opened the door of a parked car right in his path. With no way of avoiding the obstacle, Museeuw collided with it and fell, bruising his shoulder and sustaining a cut on his neck.
As they used to say on Hill Street Blues - let's be careful out there."
Wow, I guess this proves that Trek Rider is a better rider than Museeuw! Museeuw obviously should have been able to avoid such an incident by anticipating the moves of all the variables around him. Shame on Johan, and 2 BIG thumbs up to Trek Rider!!!!! :)
Roughstuff
06-17-04, 07:16 AM
Quite the contrary.....
When the accident happened, I was in huge pain. The ambulance was certain I broke my leg.
Ouch!! How do you know what a broken bone feels like unless you have broken one before? When I broke my kneecap in half in a cycling accident in 1986, I walked around on it for 3 days before i finally went to have it X-rayed. Even then, they took shots from about six different angles before the 'sunset view' showed a perfect crack between the two pieces.
roughstuff
Trek Rider
06-17-04, 11:26 AM
Wow, I guess this proves that Trek Rider is a better rider than Museeuw! Museeuw obviously should have been able to avoid such an incident by anticipating the moves of all the variables around him. Shame on Johan, and 2 BIG thumbs up to Trek Rider!!!!! :)
When I ride in the city, I stay 3 feet away from parked cars. If that means I take the lane, and I have no problem doing so, then so be it.
LittleBigMan
06-17-04, 04:38 PM
When I ride in the city, I stay 3 feet away from parked cars. If that means I take the lane, and I have no problem doing so, then so be it.
Agreed. I do the same.
I think in Oscar's case, the taxi driver stopped illegally and let out a passenger in the middle of the street.
Perhaps he could not avoid the crash.
Dchiefransom
06-17-04, 09:02 PM
Ok... but next time a parked car opens its door and slams you, don't complain.
Next time a basketball rolls onto the street and creams you, don't complain either.
I admit I've hit cars before, broke the mirror off a parked police car once when I got squeezed by a delivery truck and the parked car. Sure I could've waited for the delivery truck to pass, but I didn't. It almost killed me, I hit the car's mirror. Ok. Sometimes it's not fault but remember, sometimes it's not.
Someone said above that it was a shared path, with a bike lane. Were you still in the bike lane and the woman opened the door into the lane? You have to be extra careful around cars, the people think they own the world and everyone else is just an inconvenience to them.
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