Is the Person Who Opens the Car Door Always Fully Liable for a Collision?
2 Answers
Not always. The determination of liability for collisions caused by opening car doors is as follows: 1. If the vehicle is parked illegally and a collision occurs when the driver opens the door, both the driver and passengers inside the vehicle bear full responsibility. 2. If the door is opened without fulfilling the duty to remind others, leading to a traffic accident, the person opening the door bears primary responsibility. 3. If there is no illegal parking and the duty to remind has been fulfilled, but a collision still occurs when opening the door, the other party also shares responsibility. Below is additional information: When temporarily parking on the road, motor vehicles must comply with the following regulations: 1. No-parking zones: Do not park in areas with no-parking signs or markings, sections with barriers separating motor vehicle lanes from non-motor vehicle lanes or sidewalks, crosswalks, or construction zones. 2. Special road sections: Do not park at intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads less than 4 meters wide, bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, or within 50 meters of these locations. 3. Outside special facilities: Do not park in front of bus stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations (or within 30 meters of these locations), except when using these facilities. 4. Mind pedestrians and vehicles: Do not open doors or allow passengers to enter or exit before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Opening or closing doors must not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. 5. Roadside parking: Park close to the right side of the road. The driver must not leave the vehicle and must depart immediately after passengers enter or exit or items are loaded or unloaded. 6. City buses: City buses must not stop to pick up or drop off passengers outside designated bus stops.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've witnessed many door-opening accidents. Indeed, in most cases, the person opening the door bears full responsibility because you must ensure safety before opening it. Failing to observe approaching vehicles or pedestrians violates traffic regulations. However, this isn't absolute. Once when I parked at an intersection and opened my door, an electric scooter speeding towards me collided with it. The responsibility was split 50-50 because the other party was speeding. Police at the scene will judge based on video evidence; if the hitting party is also at fault, such as drunk driving or inattention, responsibility may be shared. That's why I've adopted the 'Dutch Reach' method—opening the door slightly first to check before pushing it open slowly, especially in areas with bike lanes. Safety awareness is cultivated through small details. Don't think occasional laziness is harmless—when accidents happen, regret comes too late.
