Accidents with open car doors




How many times have you nearly had your open car door taken off by an approaching vehicle, probably more than once or twice? It's not an uncommon type of accident, but who is to blame? This can be a tricky one, you may have thought that it was the fault of the driver who hit the door because they were not paying attention to the hazards ahead of them.

But what if you are in a hurry and without looking properly you open your door right in front of an approaching vehicle? Unfortunately in this situation it is likely to be your fault because according to the Highway Code, it is your responsibility to ensure that when opening your door you do not pose a hazard to either pedestrians or other road users.

Whether it's your door that's been hit or you that's taken off someone else's door, you will need to prove somehow that it's not your fault, or at least not entirely your fault. The best way to do this is to get the details of at least one, or even better two independent witnesses who can verify your version of what happened.



Collecting your evidence

If there was someone following the vehicle that struck the door, then this is probably your best option as they should have witnessed the whole incident. If there was no one behind the vehicle then you need to find a passer-by or perhaps someone in a local shop who saw what happened. Bear in mind that if your witness is known to you then their statement is likely to carry a lot less legal 'weight' than if they are a totally independent witness.

You will need to obtain all the contact details of your witness or witnesses and also a description of the incident written in either in their own hand writing or typed, but in both cases it MUST be signed by the witness as an honest and fair account of the events that occurred. If a police officer attends the scene then they will also take statements that can be used to support your case.

Even if in the stress of the situation you forget to take witness statements at the time, it may still be possible to collect witness statements from local shop or business employees, but this must be done within a few days of the incident ideally as your witnesses may not recollect all the important details - or perhaps be willing to provide them.

One other possibility to check is video evidence from a CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) security camera. Many shopping areas and business premises have security cameras that cover areas outside that may include the area of road you were driving on, or parked in.

If you notice one you will have to identify who operates it and ask them if they can provide you with a copy of the video for that particular time. They may charge you for this, which is worthwhile if it proves your version of events.

If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a compensation claim. Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury