Insurers liable for car door-related accidents

A new judicial interpretation allows individuals injured by suddenly opened car doors to seek compensation directly from a vehicle's insurance company, regardless of whether the fault lies with the driver or a passenger.

The rule, issued on Wednesday by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, aims to provide victims with quicker relief and stronger protection, while helping judges resolve such disputes more efficiently.

"Accidents often occur when car doors are opened unexpectedly on roads, causing harm to others," said Chen Yifang, chief judge of the court's First Civil Division. "These incidents usually result from brief lapses in attention by the person opening the door, but the consequences can be severe."