You were out of control and not looking where you were going.
From what the OP said I don't read he was out of control or not looking. Going a wee bit too fast perhaps but even if he was doing half that speed he's still going to go into the door if its opened in his path.
Thanks for all the responses - I genuinely wasn't expecting anyone to try to suggest that I was legally at fault for the accident, but this is STW, so why would I be surprised?
I've phoned the police and had a discussion with them. They have no record of an accident in that area at that time, and accordingly were not planning on pursuing me. As I can't give a registration number there's little else they can do on tracing the driver. They've got my details, and will keep me informed if anything develops.
Oh, and they confirmed that if the facts are as I presented them (relatively truthfully - I said I was going fast enough to bend a door, but didn't state my estimate of the speed), I'd committed no offence.
I accept the consequences of riding on the road. I ccept that riding faster rather than slower means that when an impact occurs it will be rather more painful. But other than going at walking speed, the accident would have happened anyway, and the dangers of riding slowly in London are far greater than the dangers of keeping up with traffic and not getting stuck in queues.
Thanks for all the responses
You don't mean that... surely!?!?! 
The amount of people who have gotten away with killing/injuring people cause they were under the limit (tho rather more importantly still not at a safe speed for the present conditions) should keep you out of jail.
assuming cyclists are treated equally of course...erm...hmm...oh bugger, scratch the above you're in deep shit.
I would say filtering between lanes you should have a reasonable expectation of not being doored (filtering in the gutter is a different matter)
I don't think the OP is in the wrong but I wouldn't have left the scene
OP - Visit a police station TODAY and report the incident
However, you hit a person on foot at almost 20mph and forced them into a door. I would have at least checked that they were OK. Were they?
oh helllllooo, what's this?
ring the fuzz and report it!
Thanks for all the responses
You're very welcome! 
Synopsis?
However, you hit a person on foot at almost 20mph and forced them into a door. I would have at least checked that they were OK. Were they?
Read the first post. No blood, no breakages. She was shaken, but able to walk/stand/cry.
I didn't get time to check much - the driver was trying to grab me, but interestingly, only really got angry when he realised that the passenger door was trashed.
SBZ synopsis
1. read op post
some blame him as he was a cyclist, going fast , undertaking etc. Some point and you have to look for people filtering
Some ignore this
DezB does witty reply
OP confesses to plod who said no accident has been reported to them and agree he was not to blame.
STW argues some more about why the cyclist was to blame despite the law and the facts
Oh, and they confirmed that if the facts are as I presented them, I'd committed no offence
So how many of you 'pay up' brigade would still be offering to pay up?
No, thought not. 
She was shaken, but able to walk/stand/cry.I didn't get time to check much - the driver was trying to grab me, but interestingly, only really got angry when he realised that the passenger door was trashed.
Then I'd have left for my own safety - as you did. How did the driver leave with a rear door that wouldn't close?
Surrounded By Zulus - Member
Synopsis?
There were a few decent trolls but I reckon you could still find a niche and hook a few. Post away...
Then I'd have left for my own safety - as you did. How did the driver leave with a rear door that wouldn't close?
Front passenger door.
Dunno - I think that if you forced it really hard you could just about have got the catch to hold. I wasn't looking at that point. I was sprinting as fast as I could just to get away. Thank heaven for gridlock!
DezB does witty reply
Ooh, you flatterer 
"I was sprinting as fast as I could..."
Hopefully not filtering between stationary cars with people randomly opening doors?
So the OP doing 20mph hit a door and wrecked the door, but didnt wreck themselves in the process. I'm not buying the 20mph thing. It's against the laws of physics for a start.
I hit a car door doing at least 25 - bent the door right back on it's hinges and ripped the interior off. It was a Jag too. But I was on a recumbent, and the chain set on those makes a lovely mess of whatever you hit...
I was sprinting as fast as I could just to get away. Thank heaven for gridlock!
So after being involved in a high speed crash in stationary traffic you decide to sprint off again through stationary traffic? You sound about as bright as a blackout.
Regardless of the law being on your side, it's basic common sense not to ride at full pelt through stationary lines of cars. Never underestimate the stupidity of pedestrians, drivers and passengers...or cyclists.
"about as bright as a blackout" Mint! Duly saved for repeating at an appropriate moment in the near future, thanks.
So after being involved in a high speed crash in stationary traffic you decide to sprint off again through stationary traffic?
Basic risk assessment, balance the hazard of irate drive with broken car door and upset female passenger against likelihood of encountering another angry driver with dozy passenger wanting to alight in the middle of traffic. I know which one I'd consider more risky!
OP - You did the right thing IMO.
I can see the local newspaper story now, soon to be picked up nationally by the Daily Mail
"Cyclist kills woman in hit and run"
Mrs X died of a brain haemorrhage shortly after a collision with a cyclist as she got out a car to visit granny X. The callous cyclist left the scene of what police might consider manslaughter without checking to see if the victim was unhurt.
Mrs X's husband said "he must have being going some as my car door is all bent - Even if we did find the cyclist, I bet he's not insured, they should have number plates and pay road tax"
Asked about his wife, Mr X said he was uncertain as to who would now feed the cat. He finished the news conference by adding "Why was he racing to catch a green light? we all know they jump red lights so it wouldn't have held him up at all. This vile incident has left me with a bent car door, a hungry cat and I've lost my wife"
On that basis I would have dropped the old bill a line, just in case like!
His leg hurts and he injured someone else, so who's the end of a bell really?
No, the passenger injured his leg with her door. So she's the bellend, and you've yet to shed your title it would seem...
Deffo 100% car drivers fault though as above i usually filter a bit more carefully, but i bet most people on here have done the same thing at one time or another.
I'd forget it and move on.
So the OP doing 20mph hit a door and wrecked the door, but didnt wreck themselves in the process. I'm not buying the 20mph thing. It's against the laws of physics for a start.
wouldn't bet on it. I wrote off a 4 year old polo with a closing speed (once brakes were applied) not far north of that (whilst on my bike).
There was a woman between him and the door anyway. I expect the hinges on either the door or the side of the car got stretched a little, or the hinge got moved on the bolts. Depending on the car it might be very straight forwards to remedy (hinges often have large holes for the hinge bolts to allow for alignment of the door vs the chassis)
No, the passenger injured his leg with her door. So she's the bellend, and you've yet to shed your title it would seem...
It's not my fault he was doing 20 mph while being unaware of his surroundings and being a rubbish rider, is it?
I think you have claimed back your title, ner ner ner ner-ner!
I was never called a bellend in the first place.... and it's not your fault, but it's more the drivers fault (legally and morally) than the cyclist's. The cyclist's speed was contributory, but he could've been doing 50, and there'd have been no accident if someone hadn't opened a door on top of him...
I hope someone opens a door on you, so you can show your immediate remorse for your obvious mistake and 'rubbish riding'!
i don't think the driver's on the hook for anything if it wasn't a child who opened the door. assuming it was an adult, any cost would be on her?
So after being involved in a high speed crash in stationary traffic you decide to sprint off again through stationary traffic? You sound about as bright as a blackout.
Having just been involved in an accident, I was somewhat perturbed that the bloke who was all fired up about his pride and joy (his car, not the wife/girlfriend) was going to do me a mischief. Obviously you'd have cycled away at walking pace, obeying all traffic laws, and ensuring that you did a nice mirror-signal-manouvre. And you'd probably have got thumped.
Me? Maybe I shouldn't have been in the situation, but once there, I certainly wasn't sticking around to compound it.
Wun....
Bugger. 
I woon't worry about it. If the driver started acting up, getting all aggressive, then flip him. Let him suffer.
It's only a flipping car. He shooduv bin more concerned that you were both ok, than about his precious fume-belcher.
Nah, flip him. Tosser. Shooduv kicked his wing mirror off as you rode off, just for good measure.
Njee - I hope someone opens a door on you too and that you skid along the road and scuff your bottom red raw. Are we even now? I think you've just shown yourself to be the Bell to End all Ends™.
20 mph is pretty slow for a sprint.
The driver if the pasenger is under 14, can be prosecuted for the Malicious or deliberate opening of a vehicle door so as to injure or impede a fellow road user.
When i last worked as a van driver a fellow worker was a retired sergent and siad he had charged somebody once with a similar offence.
You should be able to claim compensation from the MIB, due to the driver being untraceable, unless they make a claim against you.
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