A dooring accident in Orlando happens when a driver or passenger swings open a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, motorcyclist, or other road user. The person on the bike or motorcycle has almost no time to react. They either collide directly with the door or swerve sharply into moving traffic — both outcomes can be devastating. Florida law is clear on who is responsible in these situations, and victims have strong legal options for recovering their losses.
What Florida Law Says About Dooring Accidents
Florida Statute 316.2005 makes it illegal to open a vehicle door unless it is reasonably safe to do so and will not interfere with moving traffic. The law also prohibits leaving a door open longer than necessary to load or unload a passenger. This rule applies to both drivers and passengers. It does not matter which side of the car the door opens from — if it swings into traffic and causes a crash, the person who opened it can be held liable.
This statute places the responsibility squarely on the person inside the vehicle. Before opening a door, that person must check mirrors and blind spots for approaching cyclists, motorcyclists, and other vehicles. When they fail to do so, they have violated the law and their duty of care to others on the road. A dooring accident in Orlando caused by this failure is a textbook case of negligence.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Dooring Accident?
Liability in a dooring accident in Orlando can fall on several parties. The person who opened the door — whether it was the driver or a passenger — can be held personally liable. If the vehicle was being used for a rideshare trip, the rideshare company’s insurance may also come into play. See our page on rideshare accident claims for more on that.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard. A cyclist who was not in a designated bike lane, or who was riding too fast to stop, might be assigned some percentage of fault. But a partial fault finding does not eliminate the victim’s right to recover — it only reduces the award by that percentage, as long as the victim is less than 50% at fault. Most dooring victims bear little to no fault, since they had no way to anticipate the door opening.
The NHTSA’s bicycle safety guidance emphasizes that cyclists have the same rights on public roads as motor vehicle drivers under state law. Florida Statute 316.2065 confirms that cyclists in Florida are entitled to the full protection of traffic laws, including the right to ride without having car doors thrown open in their path.
How Orlando Car Accident Attorneys Help Dooring Victims
After a dooring accident, victims are often left with serious injuries, a damaged bicycle or motorcycle, and mounting medical bills. An attorney can help identify all liable parties, deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our bicycle accident attorneys and motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience with exactly these kinds of claims. The Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi handle the legal fight so you can focus on recovering.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.
