Last updated: September 29th, 2025

Attempting to repair a garage door on your own may seem like an exciting new challenge or a way to save money, but it can carry devastating risks, particularly when high-tension springs are involved.

Garage doors, which can weigh hundreds of pounds, are only manageable because of high-tension torsion springs or extension springs that counterbalance their weight. The springs are tightly wound with stored energy, and if that energy is suddenly released, the hardware can turn into a high-speed projectile.

Common Garage Door Injuries – Statistics and Facts

A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that between 2015 and 2024 an estimated 163,324 garage door injuries were treated in the United States. According to this most recent data, that equals an average of about 16,332 injuries per year.

While many of these incidents are minor like pinched fingers, bruises, and bumps, the consequences can be catastrophic when a spring dislodges. Severe injuries can include deep lacerations, fractures, and, in rare cases, permanent eye damage, paralysis or even death.

Other Garage Door Injury Statistics

Some reports estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 people are injured by garage doors each year, while others suggest the number is as high as 35,000. Other sources may suggest that:

• 59.5% of injuries are caused by pinched or crushed section joints.
• 16.5% result from falling doors.
• 12.7% occur during repair or installation work.
• Over 7,550 Americans suffer pinching injuries from garage doors each year.
• Every year, more than 2,200 Americans are injured by garage doors falling on them.
• About 800 Americans suffer lacerations annually when the window glass in their garage doors breaks.

The above numbers and reports mostly come from legal firms and garage door companies. They do not reference verifiable sources or data, and the information cannot be confirmed by any official database. Therefore, it should be treated with caution.

Severe Eye Injuries from Garage Door Springs

Doctors at Massachusetts Eye and Ear (MEE) reviewed injuries treated between 2008 and 2023 and identified seven patients who suffered severe eye trauma while repairing their own garage doors. Each was struck by a spring or metal component that shot loose at high speed.

Although eye injuries from garage door accidents are relatively rare, occurring in about 3.5 per 100,000 people annually, those caused by springs tend to be especially destructive. The MEE case review reported the following cases:

• A 37-year-old man sustained a lacerating injury, leaving him with only hand-motion vision after multiple surgeries.
• A 59-year-old woman suffered a severe laceration affecting all ocular zones. Despite extensive procedures, she lost nearly all vision and the eye became phthisical (shrunken and nonfunctional).
• A 43-year-old man developed a retinal detachment and irreversible vision loss, ending with only hand-motion vision.
• A 57-year-old man with a history of retinal detachment sustained a globe rupture. After surgery, his vision stabilized at 20/125.
• A 43-year-old man suffered extensive lacerations and fractures. His vision remained at light perception only.
• A 25-year-old man lost all vision, and the eye eventually became phthisical.
• A 60-year-old man required enucleation (surgical removal of the eye) after it became blind and painful.

Six of the seven patients sustained injuries to the back of the eye, which almost always lead to poor visual outcomes. Five developed retinal detachments, and two lost all vision permanently.

Shared Risk Factors

Despite their differences in age and background, the patients had similar experiences:

• All attempted a DIY garage door repair without professional help.
• All were struck directly in the eye by a spring or attached part.
• Nearly all experienced permanent vision loss despite emergency surgery.

Only one patient regained limited functional vision. Other patients treated at MEE for similar accidents have suffered traumatic cataracts, orbital fractures, bleeding inside the eye, and severe eyelid lacerations.

Electrician Paralyzed by Faulty Garage Door

In April 2006, Ralph Parker, an electrician working at a warehouse in Indianapolis, was pinned by an overhead garage door that exerted hundreds of pounds of force. Investigators later discovered that an inexperienced person had overtightened a part of the garage door spring system during a service visit. As a result, the door failed to stop when it pressed against Parker’s body.

Parker, who had been on a ladder above the door, was knocked unconscious and trapped for more than half an hour until the motor pulley finally burned out, releasing the pressure. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Eight years later, a Marion County jury awarded Parker and his wife more than $18 million in damages.

Garage Door Accident Leaves Man with Severe Jaw Injuries

Even small repair jobs can turn hazardous when garage door parts suddenly fail. An Arizona man known for helping his neighbors learned this firsthand after a freak accident left him with severe facial injuries.

Marcos Gaspar was assisting a friend with a garage door opener motor when a heavy metal bar unexpectedly snapped loose. The bar swung down with tremendous force and struck him directly in the chin. The impact fractured his jaw in multiple places, requiring surgery and leaving his jaw wired shut for weeks.

Gaspar’s friend described the moment as shocking and unpredictable. “It literally just shot off the wall so fast. We don’t really know how or why, it just hit him square in the chin,” he said. The accident not only left Gaspar in pain but also unable to work during his recovery.

Why DIY Garage Door Repairs Are Dangerous

Overhead garage doors typically use two types of springs:

• Extension springs along the sides of the door.
• Torsion springs mounted above the door.

When these springs snap or unwind unexpectedly, they release stored energy with explosive force. The sharp edges of metal parts increase the risk of penetrating injuries such as globe ruptures, rather than blunt trauma.

Understanding the Risks and Taking Precautions

When it comes to DIY garage door repair, the most common injuries result from:

• Replacing Garage Door Springs: Loaded springs (torsion or extension) can cause severe harm if improperly handled or if their high tension is suddenly released.
• Getting fingers caught between door sections: Fingers can easily become entrapped between the moving door panels, or between the door sections and the wall or garage frame (jambs).
• Crashing garage doors: A garage door that slips off its tracks or drops suddenly can lead to severe crush injuries.

Other risks include:

• Falls: Climbing ladders or working at heights around garage doors can lead to dangerous falls.
• Lifting injuries: Garage doors and door components are heavy, and improper lifting can cause back or muscle strain.
• Voided warranties: DIY repairs may cancel manufacturer or installer warranties.
• Electrical hazards: Mishandling garage door opener wiring or components can result in shocks or electrocution.
• Extreme working conditions: Performing repairs in intense heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. Fatigue and dizziness increase the risk of mistakes, which can make accidents with heavy doors or tools even more likely.

Unlike mild scratches and bruises, accidents involving springs can cause severe injuries like deep cuts, retinal detachments, and permanent blindness.

According to data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, nearly one-third of U.S. adults reported engaging in activities that could cause an eye injury outside of work, but only about 32% of them wore protective eyewear.

The study found that men were more likely than women to use eye protection (34.7% vs. 25.2%), while young adults aged 18–24 were the least likely of all (just 15.3%). Low-income individuals, non-retired adults, and people identifying as Black or other races also had lower usage rates. Overall, the research shows that protective eyewear use in everyday high-risk situations remains low, particularly among certain groups.

Common injuries are mostly preventable when the proper safety measures are taken. Recommendations include:

• Avoid DIY repairs. Garage door springs should only be handled by trained professionals with proper tools. Always hire a verified licensed garage door company for your garage door repair and installation projects.
• Schedule annual service. Regular maintenance helps identify worn or damaged springs before they fail.
• Schedule safety inspections. A safety inspection by a certified company can help you ensure your garage door’s safety mechanisms are working properly and remain in compliance with UL 325 requirements.
• Research the problem. Should you decide to repair your garage door or replace springs yourself, first familiarize yourself with the various repair procedures, the door’s hardware and dynamics, and any common mistakes. Make sure to follow all proper safety procedures throughout the repair process.
• Wear protective gear. While it is not foolproof, protective gear like gloves, safety glasses, and hard hats can reduce the severity of injuries.

Fixing your garage door without the proper experience, knowledge and tools can often do more harm than good. Underestimating the risks of garage door repairs and making a simple mistake may cause additional damage to the door, lead to a costly trip to the emergency room, or result in permanent injury.