Traffic Accident: 23700 RMB Compensation Dispute Liability Ruling

A recent court ruling has clarified liability allocation in a motor vehicle versus electric bicycle traffic accident, awarding compensation under compulsory insurance limits. The case arose when a driver exiting an industrial facility made a U-turn and collided with an electric bicycle rider traveling in a non-motor vehicle lane. The accident caused the rider to suffer a right ankle fracture, requiring three days of hospitalization and a six to eight week recovery period with caregiver assistance. Medical expenses totaled approximately 2,788 RMB, with the driver having advanced 2,000 RMB. The injured party, who earned 2,200 RMB monthly, sought compensation including medical costs, lost income of 6,600 RMB, nursing fees of 9,300 RMB, and other damages totaling over 23,700 RMB. The driver held a valid compulsory third-party liability insurance policy with a 122,000 RMB limit. The insurance company and driver disputed several claimed amounts, arguing they exceeded policy sub-limits and were excessive, particularly for meal subsidies, lost income, nursing fees, and transportation costs. The court analyzed the traffic authority’s fault determination, the insurance policy terms, and the principle of compensating actual losses. It ruled that the compulsory insurance must cover reasonable medical expenses, lost income based on documented earnings, nursing fees supported by medical recommendations, and verified transportation costs. The court rejected inflated claims and capped compensation according to policy sub-limits, emphasizing that insurance coverage does not automatically validate all claimed amounts. This ruling reinforces the standard that accident victims must prove actual losses with clear evidence, and that compulsory insurance provides a baseline but not unlimited coverage. The decision provides guidance for similar traffic accident disputes involving electric bicycles and motor vehicles, highlighting the importance of medical documentation, income verification, and reasonable expense calculations.