Biker Gets 84 Lakh Compensation From Court After Car Driver Carelessly Opened Door
Indian roads are full of surprises, and you have to stay alert at all times to ensure that you don’t get into trouble or end up in an accident. It is not just while driving that you need to be cautious-you should remain alert even when your vehicle is stationary. People in India often open their car doors carelessly, and even this simple act can lead to serious accidents. Recently, a court granted compensation of Rs 84 lakh to a biker who was seriously injured in an accident caused by a car driver who opened the door carelessly.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) made this observation while considering the case of Roshan Kumar Sahu, who suffered severe injuries in an accident in 2024. As per reports, the accident occurred in April 2024 when the door of a car parked on the roadside was suddenly opened in front of Roshan, who was riding a bike.
Sahu was riding his motorcycle to a bank branch in Burari, Delhi. The driver of the car, Wahabuddin, who is a doctor by profession, opened the car door without checking for oncoming traffic. The biker did not get enough time to react, crashed into the open door, and suffered multiple injuries.
The impact left Roshan seriously injured, resulting in 90 percent permanent disability. He later decided to take legal action and filed a petition seeking compensation.
After examining the facts of the case, the Delhi tribunal held the doctor accountable and stated that opening a vehicle’s door without warning or indication amounts to “rashness and negligence.” While delivering its judgment, the tribunal awarded compensation of Rs 84.5 lakh to the victim, who was just 21 years old at the time of the accident.
The judge stated:
“The act of opening the door of a vehicle by its driver, without any warning or indication, itself indicates the existence of rashness and negligence on his part. It stands proved that the accident was a direct result of this negligence.”
The order was passed in favour of the victim after noting that the accident resulted in 90 percent permanent disability. Factors such as the young age of the victim played a significant role in determining the compensation. The tribunal assumed that the victim was earning the minimum wage payable to a graduate in Delhi. Out of the total amount, Rs 64.58 lakh was awarded towards loss of future earnings.
This is a common mistake that many people make almost every day. They often fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening the car door. Before opening the door, always check the ORVMs to ensure that no vehicle is approaching from behind.
Another effective method is to use the hand farther away from the door handle to open the door. This forces you to turn your body and naturally look behind, helping you check your surroundings. Also, never fling the door open in one motion. First unlock the door, slightly open it, check your surroundings, and then open it fully only when it is safe to do so.