A cyclist who is suddenly confronted with the open door of a car can sustain significant injuries. If they hit the door, they may be thrown from the bike. If they swerve to avoid it, they stand a good chance of steering into other traffic, and the results can be catastrophic.
In many bicycle dooring accidents in Illinois, the person who opened the door is at fault. State law puts the responsibility on the person exiting their car to look for traffic first. A Rolling Meadows, IL bicycle accident lawyer can help you sort out liability and deal with the driver’s insurance company after a crash in 2026.
What is Illinois’ Law About Opening a Car Door Into Traffic?
Illinois has a specific statute when someone is exiting a car near traffic. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1407, no one may open a car door on the side facing traffic unless it is reasonably safe. It also has to be done without getting in the way of other traffic. A door must not stay open longer than it takes to load or unload passengers.