Cyclist Allegedly “Doored” by Public Vehicle in San Francisco

Dooring accidents are on the rise in San Francisco, and cyclists continue to lose their lives. Although an open car door might not seem like a major issue, cyclists understand just how dangerous this hazard can be. Another cyclist appears to have lost their life due to one of these incidents, and a public vehicle is reportedly to blame. Of course, the vehicle itself is not responsible for a dooring incident. Instead, liability lies with the driver or occupant who flings open the door without checking for passing cyclists. A simple glance over the shoulder is all it takes to prevent a dooring incident, but this seems to be too much to ask. What can you do if a dooring accident injures you or someone you love?

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Claims the Senior Was “Doored”

In June of 2024, The San Francisco Standard reported that a cyclist died after crashing into a parked “city vehicle” in Bayview. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission confirmed this report, admitting that one of their vehicles had been involved in the fatal collision. The accident occurred in the morning at the corner of Newhall Street and Fairfax Avenue. The cyclist who lost his life was a 70-year-old senior citizen, and he was transported to a nearby hospital before succumbing to his wounds.

The Public Utilities Commission released a statement in the aftermath of the fatality, expressing their “heartfelt condolences” to the family of the deceased cyclist. They also vowed to cooperate with the official investigation launched by the San Francisco Police Department. However, what they failed to mention was the root cause of the incident.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition seems to have more information about the incident, and they reported on X that the senior had been “doored.” It is not clear how the Coalition discovered this information, as it was not reported anywhere else. However, it would not surprise anyone to learn that the cyclist was in fact doored, as these incidents have become extremely common in San Francisco.

What is a Dooring Accident?

A dooring accident occurs when a vehicle occupant opens a car door into the path of a cyclist. Often, these accidents occur because vehicle occupants do not bother to check their surroundings before opening their doors. San Francisco is extremely popular for cyclists, and the average street has many passing bikes.

A cyclist might be able to dodge a car door with enough time. However, many cyclists only have a few seconds to react after a door opens into their path – and they have no option but to impact the barrier. This sudden impact often ejects cyclists from their bikes, throwing them onto the street at high velocity. The resulting head injuries and fractures can easily become fatal.

Even if a cyclist survives the first impact, they might suffer secondary impacts from passing vehicles. Sometimes, cyclists attempt to dodge open doors, only to veer into the path of moving vehicles.

To make this situation even worse, many of these cyclists are traveling in designated bike lanes when they are doored. These lanes are supposed to be protected, but they are often aligned with parking spaces by the curb. This means that when a vehicle occupant opens their door, they inevitably block the bike lane with a dangerous metal barrier.

Can I Sue a City Vehicle for a Crash in San Francisco?

The Public Utilities Commission may face a lawsuit for the death of this cyclist. Although lawsuits against city vehicles are rare, they are certainly possible. The San Francisco Standard notes that in 2013, a Recreation and Parks Department vehicle ran over and killed a sunbathing woman in Bernal Heights. The family filed a wrongful death claim, and the City paid a settlement of $15 million.

Find an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Francisco

If you have been searching for an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in San Francisco, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. With our help, you can pursue compensation, justice, and closure after a dooring injury in the Bay Area. We know how dangerous these crashes can be, and we are well aware of their potential to claim lives. The recent incident is just another reminder of how negligent drivers can be, even if they are operating a publicly owned and operated vehicle. While the future might seem unclear after a bike accident, you are not alone. Book a consultation today to discuss your legal options in more detail.