Car door hits cyclist, breaks arm; settlement for injured biker

When a New York cyclist got “doored” by a careless motorist, his arm was so badly broken, that the surgeon had to put the shattered pieces together with 2 plates, 13 screws and wire. Without any warning, the driver opened the door into the biker’s path, putting the bike commuter into the hospital for three nights. The injured biker contacted bike accident lawyer Doug Landau to find out how best to proceed, since he had over $27,215 in medical bills and the comminuted fracture in his upper arm did not properly knit. The bicycle commuter told the ABRAMS LANDAU trial lawyer that rarely a day goes by that his arm isn’t sore, that he’s not reminded of the injury. He notices increased soreness in cold and damp weather and he is concerned with the possibility of early-onset arthritis resulting from the injury.

• The driver’s first words were, “Didn’t you see my door open?” The injured biker’s first words were, “I have a broken arm.”

After a number of suggestions by bicycle crash lawyer Doug Landau and investigation of additional facts, this 2005 bike accident case settled for $126,000 and the injured cyclist, who is a professional musician, was able to avoid the expense, additional time loss and unpredictability of trial. Because there are strict time limits for claims against truck and car drivers who “door” cyclists or cause other bicycle related accidents, if you or someone you know has been injured by someone else’s negligence or fault, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.