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Car doors may seem harmless, but when someone opens a car door into oncoming traffic, serious accidents can happen. You might be driving along, paying attention to the road, and suddenly there’s a door swinging open right in front of you. Or perhaps you parked your car and opened your door—only to have a passing car crash into it.
Who is at fault in these situations? At BANA LAW, PC, we want to explain how the law looks at car-door accidents, and how a California car accident lawyer can help if you’re injured.
Below, we answer key questions people often have about who bears responsibility for collisions involving open doors.
What Does the Law Say About Opening Car Doors?
In California, there’s a specific rule about opening car doors into traffic. § 22517 of the California Vehicle Code states that you cannot open a vehicle door on the side facing moving traffic unless it’s reasonably safe to do so. You also should not leave a door open longer than needed. This law tries to prevent sudden obstructions in traffic lanes.
Basically, if you open your car door when it’s not safe, you risk causing an accident. Courts often refer to this law when deciding who is at fault in car-door collisions.
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Is the Person Opening the Door Always at Fault?
Not always, but often, yes. If you open your door into traffic, a judge or jury might decide you acted negligently. Under California law, negligence means you didn’t take the level of care a careful person would have used in the same situation. Since § 22517 specifically warns you not to open a door unless it’s safe, ignoring that rule can point to fault.
Opening the door is considered part of operating the vehicle, meaning you must do it responsibly. However, each case can be different. If the other driver was speeding, texting, or could have easily avoided your open door, they might share some of the blame.
Could the Passing Driver Be at Fault Too?
Yes. Sometimes the driver hitting the open door might be partially at fault. Let’s say you opened your door slowly, checked your mirrors, and a speeding driver still crashed into it. That driver’s high speed might have made it impossible for them to stop in time. If a court or insurance adjuster believes the driver was also negligent, they could share fault.
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What if the Door Was Left Open for Too Long?
Leaving a car door open longer than necessary can make things worse. By law, you can’t block traffic any longer than it takes to load or unload passengers. Leaving a door open on the traffic side could be negligence if it directly caused a collision. So, if you left your door open while searching for your keys or rummaging in the car, that might be seen as careless behavior.
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What if I’m the Driver Who Hit the Open Door?
If you’re driving and suddenly see a car door swinging open, you must try to avoid a crash if you can. But sometimes there’s no time to react. If you can show the person opening the door didn’t follow the rules, they could be mostly or fully at fault. However, an insurance company might argue that you were going too fast or not paying enough attention to the road.
At BANA LAW, PC, we can help gather evidence, like witness statements, dash cam footage, or accident reconstruction, that shows you did your best to avoid the collision.
Courts look at whether the door-opener acted reasonably. Did they check mirrors? Did they see traffic coming? They also consider if the driver who hit the door could have avoided it by driving slower or being more alert. It’s often a question for the jury. They decide if the actions of the person opening (or leaving open) the door were negligent enough to cause the crash.
In other words, there’s no automatic “the door-opener is always guilty” or “the driver is always innocent.” Each situation depends on the facts.
Do I Need a California Car Accident Lawyer If I’ve Been Involved in a Door-Related Crash?
If you’ve been involved in a door-related crash, it’s smart to talk to a lawyer, especially if you’ve been injured. Medical bills, car repairs, and time off work can add up fast. A lawyer can help:
- Investigate who really caused the crash
- Review the local rules like 22517 of the Vehicle Code
- Gather evidence like witness statements, pictures, or videos
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit if needed
At BANA LAW, PC, our California car accident attorneys are here to help you. Whether you opened the door or hit someone else’s open door, we can assess your case and guide you on the best steps to take.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Door-Related Crash?
If the other party was mostly at fault, you might get compensation for:
- Medical Costs: Hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, rehab
- Vehicle Repairs: Fixing dents, scratches, or major damage
- Lost Wages: If you couldn’t work due to injuries
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional stress, or life changes
We believe you deserve fair compensation if someone else’s negligence caused or made your injuries worse. Check out our Car Accidents Practice Area to learn how we handle these claims.
If You Have Been Injured in an Open-Door Car Crash, Contact BANA Law, PC
If you have been injured in an open-door car crash, or if someone claims you are at fault, contact BANA LAW, PC. We proudly serve all of California and believe in giving clients the strong representation they need. Hablamos Español.
- Call (855) 997-6599 for a free consultation
- No fees unless we win (we advance all case costs)
- Our team can come to you if you can’t travel
Don’t let an insurance company blame you without looking at the full picture. We’ll stand by your side, aiming for the maximum compensation you deserve.
"We use over 100 years of combined legal experience to help our clients get the maximum compensation available under the circumstances."
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