Car Doors Cause Bicycle Accidents In Chicago

One of the most common bike accidents that the Chicago law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer handles are car doors being opened in the path of a bicyclist. It is understandable because it is easy to forget to look for bicyclists before getting out of ones car. Even if one is in the habit of looking for bicyclists it is to forget on occasion when one is distracted and thinking of other things. People who are exiting a parked car must try to look for bikes every time they exit. Additionally, it is illegal in Chicago to open ones car door in front of a bicyclist. Chicago Municipal Ordinance 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 do, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.