Were you hurt in an open-door motorcycle accident in Myrtle Beach? When a driver or passenger flings open a car door without checking for oncoming traffic, the consequences can be devastating for motorcyclists. The Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm can investigate what happened and who’s responsible so we can fight for the full compensation you’re owed.
Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation initial consultation and learn more about your legal options for car door opening accidents.
How a Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Dooring Crash
A dooring crash can leave you with serious injuries, a damaged bike, and a stack of medical bills, all while you’re trying to recover and figure out your next move. Meanwhile, you might be dealing with pressure from insurance adjusters who want to settle your claim for as little as possible. An experienced Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident lawyer from Jebaily Law Firm can take that burden off your shoulders and handle the legal side of your case so you can focus on getting better.
From the moment you retain our firm, we get to work investigating the crash, gathering evidence, and identifying every party who may bear responsibility for your injuries. We’ll deal directly with insurers on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about saying anything that could hurt your claim. And if the other side refuses to offer full and fair compensation, we’ll be prepared to take your case to trial.
Steps to Take After an Open-Door Motorcycle Accident in Myrtle Beach, SC
The decisions you make immediately after an open-door motorcycle accident in Myrtle Beach can shape the outcome of your entire case. Insurance companies move fast, and you can rest assured they’ll be looking for any reason to reduce or deny your claim.
You can do the following to protect yourself following an accident caused by open car doors:
- Seek medical attention right away so your doctor can document and treat your injuries.
- Follow all your doctor’s treatment recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment.
- Report the crash to your insurer, but don’t give a recorded statement before getting legal advice.
- Preserve all evidence from the scene, including photos, videos, and witness contact details.
- Keep records of all accident-related expenses, including medical bills and any income you’ve lost.
- Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
- Contact a knowledgeable passenger open door accident attorney as soon as possible.
Compensation for Open-Door Motorcycle Accident Victims in Myrtle Beach
Between hospital stays, lost wages, and the long road to recovery, the costs of a dooring accident can quickly become unmanageable. Fortunately, South Carolina law gives you the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Depending on the circumstances, this could include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses stemming from crash-related injuries
- Future medical costs for ongoing care or long-term rehabilitation
- Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Who Is Liable in a Myrtle Beach Open-Door Motorcycle Crash?
Liability in an open-door motorcycle accident depends on who opened the door and under what circumstances. In most cases, the driver or passenger who opened the door without checking for oncoming traffic bears primary responsibility for the crash. South Carolina law requires vehicle occupants to exercise reasonable care before opening their doors into lanes of moving traffic. If a driver or passenger fails to do so, they can be held responsible for any harm that results.
In some situations, liability extends beyond the person who opened the door. For example, if a commercial vehicle was involved in the incident, the driver’s employer could share liability. And in cases where poor road design increased the likelihood of dooring incidents, a government entity might bear some responsibility as well. The only way to identify every liable party is to conduct a thorough investigation, and that’s exactly what our lawyers do.
Common Injuries Caused by Open-Door Motorcycle Accidents in Myrtle Beach
Motorcyclists have virtually no physical protection in traffic collisions, and dooring accidents are no exception. When a car door opens into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, the rider can strike the door directly, get thrown from their bike, or be forced to swerve into traffic to avoid a collision. The injuries that result tend to be serious, and some can have permanent consequences.
Common injuries in open-door motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Concussions
- Road rash and severe skin abrasions
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Rotator cuff tears
- Rib and chest injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma
Common Causes of Open-Door Motorcycle Accidents
The cause of every open-door motorcycle accident is, at its core, the same: someone opened a door without checking to see whether it was safe to do so first. But the factors that lead to that moment of inattention can vary. Distraction is among the most common. Drivers and passengers who prioritize texts, phone conversations, or their own hurry over a quick check of their mirrors and surroundings put every nearby motorcyclist at risk.
Rideshare drop-offs are a common contributor to dooring incidents in busy areas like Myrtle Beach. Rear-seat passengers often have limited visibility and aren’t always in the habit of checking for approaching traffic before they exit. Poor lighting, narrow lanes, and heavy parking density can also make dooring crashes more likely, since they put motorcyclists closer to door-opening zones with less time and space to react.
Whatever the specific circumstances, a car door opening accident is almost always the result of one person’s failure to take a single moment of basic precaution. Sadly, that kind of failure can change a motorcyclist’s life forever.
Call Now for a Free Consultation After an Open-Door Motorcycle Crash
You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone after a dooring accident in Myrtle Beach. Jebaily Law Firm has been standing up for the rights of South Carolina injury victims for more than 50 years, and we’re ready to go to work for you, too. Contact us now to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
