You may have been biking one afternoon when a parked car swung its door in your path. You were a moment too late to avoid the obstacle and sent flying – leading to serious head or spine injuries. The car’s occupant didn’t use the “Dutch reach” and thus, put your life in danger.
What’s so special about the “Dutch reach” that it would have saved you from your situation?
The “Dutch reach” is a simple technique to save lives
An easy way for drivers to notice cyclists around them is by using the “Dutch reach” method. This technique involves using one’s furthest hand to open a car door. This causes the person doing the reaching to turn their torso enough to see any oncoming cyclists. As easy as it might sound, few drivers or passengers in motor vehicles make use of this technique.
There are a few drawbacks when bikes and motor vehicles occupy the same road as larger vehicles. Motorists can be less accommodating when sharing the road with cyclists. Some simply ignore the existence of cyclists altogether – which may have led to your injuries. What many drivers and passengers don’t realize is that the road is often shared with people who are as fond of bikes as drivers are of cars. There are many advantages to bikes that lead people to ride them since biking is healthy, eco-friendly and gas-free.
What should you do after a dooring accident?
You shouldn’t have to change your ways because of the negligence of the people around you. Spine and head injuries can lead to long-term health conditions that nobody should have to endure. If you’ve been injured in a “dooring” incident, you may need to pursue a personal injury claim for your injuries and medical expenses. Contact Steven L. Morgan, P.C., a local attorney, at 912-289-0640 or send an email for more information today.
