Continue reading to learn the different types of injuries that are associated with a dooring accident and how an experienced Morris County, New Jersey auto accident lawyer can fight on your behalf in receiving the monetary compensation that you require to heal.
What is considered a dooring accident?
By definition, a dooring accident occurs when a cyclist or motorcyclist gets hit by a person opening their vehicle door. Usually, this is caused by the negligent party failing to check their surroundings before proceeding to exit the vehicle. Because of this, cyclists and motorcyclists risk being a victim of dooring every time they share the New Jersey roads.
What are possible injuries that come with dooring accidents?
Bicycles and motorcycles have little physical protection when it comes to colliding with a vehicle’s door. This is why injuries can be serious, and what’s worse, fatal. That said, the possible injuries that can result from a dooring accident are as follows:
- Whiplash.
- Deep cuts to the skin.
- Broken, dislocated, or sprained bones.
- Internal bleeding.
- Organ damage.
- Brain damage.
- Spinal cord injury.
What should I do if I am involved in a dooring accident?
If you were involved in a dooring accident that was due to no fault of your own, but rather by the negligence of another party, then you must take action and file a personal injury claim. For your claim, you must satisfy the burden of proof to directly tie your injuries to your accident. So, you should take the following approach immediately after your dooring accident:
- Call 911: a law enforcement officer will conduct an official police report and call for medical attention to the scene. Later, you should request a copy of the report.
- Document the scene: take photos and videos of your injuries, your cycle damages, and the vehicle door that caused your accident.
- Gather contact information: ask the driver for their name, phone number, email address, license plate number, driver’s license number, insurance company name, insurance policy number, etc. You should also ask the present passengers and witnesses for their contact details. Later, witness testimonies may come in handy.
- Go to medical attention: you should seek treatment regardless of whether you believe you have injuries, as sometimes they are not immediately apparent. Later, you should schedule follow-up appointments, request doctor’s notes, make copies of medical bills, etc.
- Hire a skilled Parsippany, New Jersey personal injury lawyer: ask us to gather any other necessary evidence, such as surveillance camera footage. You must do so before New Jersey’s statute of limitations, which is usually two years from the date of your accident.
CONTACT OUR MORRIS COUNTY FIRM
If you require the services of an experienced team of attorneys for legal matters related to estate planning, personal injury, or medical malpractice, contact The Macri Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
