A book would have to be opened, face out and on the same plane as the side of the car, to work like the type of door in question.
A suicide door opens with the hinge behind the occupant, in such a way, that if an other car coming along side, hit into the opened door, it would crush the person getting in or out.
It would be easier to draw a little diagram.
ok... like a K or mirrored K (?)
Does that help?