Door hit by passing car

[hwassall]

A colleague at work (no really) parked at the side of the road and opened the drivers door to have it hit by a passing car almost ripping it off. Who is at fault in the situation? We are assuming that it is their fault but isn't there something in the highway code about leaving enough space between youself and parked cars to avoid this scenario. There was, apparently, enough room for the other driver to have done so.

[mattjbatch]

The muppet who opened the door without checking nowt was coming is at fault IMHO. Sorry

[hwassall]

That was my assumption too. Just wanted to check. Cheers.

[poidal]

It's a good idea to check before opening your car door. I don't think you can reasonably blame the person who drove into it, unless they deliberately swerved.

[swilly]

Equal guilt i would think.

Your mate should look before he opens his door,
and
the car driver should be in a position to react to a door opening on a car parked by the kerb.

All muneducatedho

[pdV6]

swilly said:

the car driver should be in a position to react to a door opening on a car parked by the kerb.

Its a fine theory, but unless one were to drive everywhwere leaving at least the width of the longest possible vehicle door between them and parked cars (even if that were possible), how on earth are you supposed to react to / avoid a suddenly opening door 6 inches in front of you? The reaction time alone doesn't even cover it...

Definately the parked-up driver's fault IMO...
Am I the only one to look in my door mirror before opening the door?

[gh0st]

You would observe before pulling out so you should observe before opening your door onto a road.

Had some sill b*tch pull onto a parking area of a dual carrageway, park right on the line and swing open her car door RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS DOING 70!!!

Had I not have managed to avoid it it would have been game over for at least one of us.

[Mr E]

pdV6 said:

Am I the only one to look in my door mirror before opening the door?

I fold mine in with the little button before turning ignition off.

I didn't realise how useful they were when getting out until the shiny new car with said button.....

[paolow]

lol this reminds me of a story with friend of mine who was driving a LWB transit hi cube. it maxxed out at about 80 on the motorway and he thought quite reasonably that the huge mirrors on the side may be generating drag and preventing him from going faster. so he pulled in and folded them flat at a services and nailed it out to join the motorway. all was going well until he went to check his mirrors to join.....
apparently he shit himself and had to join blind and then sheepishly fold them out again at the next stop.

[Davel]

Both to blame really.

Parked up driver for not looking before opening the door and passing vehicle for not leaving enough gap as they went past.

Thank christ no one was hurt!

[rich-uk]

Person opening the door was to blame IMO

[MoJocvh]

Very interesting set of results so far.........

[Hates_]

I understand that people are saying that the driver is equally at fault. But perhaps the said road did not have enough space for the driver to leave enough space? Then you cannot expect the driver to take equal blame. There are a few roads near me which are one way and have only space for a single file of cars. If someone was to open there door there is no space at all to move over to aviod it in the first place. Anyone who tried to leave enough space would either hit another parked car or would be traveling on the pavement.

[RobM]

Whatever the outcome with who's to blame, potentialy stepping into moving traffic is a big 'no' in my common sense book. Just wait till its clear. Its much easier :/

>> Edited by RobM on Saturday 28th June 03:52

[aerotec]

it is definatly the fault of the guy who opened the door, i know this from first hand experience, as i did it at work about 15 years ago.
i have never done it since i felt so stupid

[Tabs]

Definitely the door opener at fault. I've nearly been knocked off my bike like this, and also nearly had my eye poked out whilst a pedestrian. Needless to say, a well aimed kick solved the problems for me.

[ledfoot]

I agree, it is definitely the fault of the driver opening the car door.

As a cyclist, I was knocked of my my bike by some moron that opened his car door in front of me.

[t-c]

There is a specific offence of "negligent opening of a vehicle door"

The duty of care lies with the driver, or door opener to ensure that it is safe to carry out such manouevres.

[jjr1]

I definitely believe the parked car is at fault and can not see how it can be the drivers fault.....If you had to pass cars at a distance of one car door, you would hit the oncoming car, doing the same !!!

[tonyrec]

There is a specific offence for this one, "opening the door to danger".

We often get this "up town" whereby motorists open their doors and catch cyclists...hmmmm, very painful.