Texas Transportation Code section 545.418 prohibits opening a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it can be done in reasonable safety, and bars leaving it open longer than needed to load or unload. It is the rule behind dooring crashes that injure cyclists, riders, and scooter users. Owsley Law Firm handles these claims and charges no fee unless we win.
A dooring crash happens in an instant: a parked driver or passenger swings a door open, and a cyclist or motorcyclist hits it or swerves into traffic. In Houston’s Heights, Montrose, and downtown, where bike lanes run beside parked cars, these crashes are a real risk.
Section 545.418 sets a clear standard for the person opening the door. This page explains the rule, who can be responsible, including rideshare passengers, and how a dooring claim is proven.
What does Texas law say about opening car doors?
A person may not open a door on the side available to moving traffic unless it can be opened in reasonable safety without interfering with traffic.
The statute also bars leaving a door on the traffic side open longer than necessary to load or unload a passenger. The rule applies to any person, so it covers passengers as well as drivers.
Who is responsible in a dooring crash?
The person who opened the door, and in some cases the driver or the rideshare insurance that covers the trip.
If a passenger opens the door, the claim may run against the passenger. If a rideshare driver stopped in a bike lane or traffic lane to drop off a rider, the driver’s conduct and the rideshare insurance can come into play. Texas law requires $1 million in coverage while a prearranged ride is in progress, which lasts until the last rider leaves the vehicle.
- The passenger or driver who opened the door
- A rideshare or delivery driver who stopped in a traffic or bike lane
- The vehicle owner’s or driver’s liability insurance
- Your own UM/UIM coverage if the at-fault person is uninsured
Can a cyclist share fault in a dooring crash?
Possibly, if riding too close to parked cars or too fast for conditions, but the person opening the door usually bears most of the fault.
Fault is divided under Chapter 33. The statute puts the duty on the person opening the door to check that it is safe. A cyclist can recover as long as their share is not greater than 50 percent.
What injuries do dooring crashes cause?
Broken wrists, collarbones, and arms, head injuries, and injuries from being thrown into traffic.
Even a slow-speed dooring can throw a rider into an adjacent lane. Prompt medical care documents injuries that can worsen over time, including concussions.
Whose insurance pays in a dooring claim?
Usually the liability coverage on the vehicle or the person who opened the door, and your own coverage if theirs is missing or too low.
A passenger who opens a door may be covered by the vehicle owner’s auto policy as an occupant, or by their own policy, depending on the terms. If coverage is limited, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and PIP may apply if you did not reject them in writing.
For cyclists, some auto policies also cover the policyholder when injured by a motor vehicle while not in a car. Reviewing every policy in the household is part of building the claim.
What should you do after being doored?
Get the door opener’s name and insurance, photograph the car and door, find witnesses, and see a doctor the same day.
If a rideshare trip was involved, note the time and location so app records can be requested. Photograph the bike or motorcycle damage before repair.
How it is proven after a crash
- Photos of the vehicle, the open door, and the lane
- Witness statements
- Rideshare trip records if a passenger was dropped off
- Business or traffic video
- Medical records from the same day
Mistakes that cost people money
- Leaving without the door opener’s information
- Assuming a cyclist cannot recover
- Repairing the bike before photos
- Skipping a doctor visit for a head bump
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue a passenger who opened a door into me?
Yes. Section 545.418 applies to any person, and a passenger who opened a door unsafely can be responsible.
What if an Uber passenger doored me?
The passenger, the driver’s stopping location, and the rideshare policy in effect during the trip may all be part of the claim.
Does Texas have a statewide bike passing distance?
No statewide distance exists, but Houston’s ordinance requires more than 3 feet for cars and 6 feet for trucks when passing vulnerable road users.
Can I recover if I was riding in the door zone?
Usually yes, if your share of fault is not greater than 50 percent.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years from the crash under section 16.003.
This page is general information about Texas law and is not legal or medical advice. Every case depends on its own facts. Contact the firm for a free review of yours.
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