A recent dash cam video, released via YouTube, featuring a Renault driver smashing into an open Volvo car door has highlighted the risks of not checking wing mirrors when stationary and also shown that being stationary in a car doesn’t necessarily mean you are free from blame in a collision.
The incident
The video (shown above), which was taken on a road in Edinburgh, shows a Peugeot SUV run through a Volvo’s open door. Normally when a car is stationary it is only considered a hazard if it is blocking vision or parked in an obstructive way. Cars parked at the side of the road are not normally a hazard unless they protrude into the road.
In this incident however the owner of the Volvo has opened his car door without giving the SUV time or space to react. As a result the driver of the SUV unable to swerve due to traffic oncoming in the opposite lane. The result is the Volvo’s window being completely shattered, door damaged and the front of the Peugeot also taking damage.
Thankfully nobody was injured in this collision, with the two cars the only casualties. Coming away from the incident, many who viewed the video consider the Volvo driver to be incredibly lucky he didn’t exit his car a second earlier or stick his foot out of the care. The result would have almost certainly seen the emergency services being called.
Fatality risks
If the worst had happened in the video and the passing car hit the driver, causing an injury (of any level) it could be problematic for the person who got hit to prove liability from the moving driver.
While distance and time (as well as external factors like oncoming traffic) always play a big part in establishing liability, in a situation like this where there was no time or space to react. The driver who opened the door without checking for oncoming traffic holds the blame in this particular incident. Following the incident, the Volvo driver did admit to being responsible, as he didn’t check his mirrors before opening the door. Had he done so a second earlier, he could have been serious injured or possibly killed due to a simple slip of the mind.
With time to stop dependant on the travelling speed and reactions of the driver, the door opening earlier could have given the Peugeot driver time to assess whether it was safe to move out or stop until the Volvo driver had gotten out and moved. With that not being the case, the person opening the door without checking left themselves open to danger.
Legal help
If you are injured while stationary, whether it be at traffic lights or parked at the roadside and have given time for others to react, then you can seek legal representation. Accidents involving cars hitting stationary vehicles or stationary drivers can be life changing (if not life threatening).
In the event that you or a family suffer an injury while parked or stationary, you can rely on Scott Rees & Co to handle the case efficiently and effectively. We have a long history of helping road traffic accident victims, with an experienced team able to get the best out of each case.
If you’d like to speak to an expert about what we do and how we go about assisting road accident victims, you can call us weekdays from 9am to 7pm on 01695 722 222 or you can get started right away by using our online claim form here.
All of our solicitors work on a ‘no win no fee’ basis, allowing you access to justice no matter your situation. This ensures that even if your claim is unsuccessful then you won’t have to pay us a penny. With no risk in starting a claim, call today and see what we can do for you.