In a significant ruling with far-reaching implications for road safety and accountability, a Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has held that opening a vehicle’s door without warning or checking for oncoming traffic amounts to “rashness and negligence” under the law.

The tribunal awarded compensation exceeding ₹84.50 lakh to Roshan Kumar Sahu, a 21-year-old motorcyclist who suffered 90 per cent permanent disability after colliding with a suddenly opened car door in Burari, North Delhi, in August 2024.

The verdict squarely fixed responsibility on the car driver, Wahabuddin, a doctor by profession, and directed the vehicle’s insurer to pay the compensation. The tribunal observed that the accident was a direct consequence of the driver’s negligent act, reinforcing the legal duty of care motorists owe to other road users, particularly vulnerable ones such as two-wheeler riders.

Car Door Opening Is Negligence

In its detailed order, delivered in January 2026, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal emphasised that opening a car door is not a trivial or harmless action, especially on busy urban roads. Presiding Officer Pooja Agarwal noted that “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.”

The tribunal further stated that it stood proved on record that the accident occurred solely due to this negligent conduct. According to the case details, on August 20, 2024, Roshan Kumar Sahu was riding his motorcycle to a bank branch in Burari when Wahabuddin abruptly opened the driver’s side door of his parked or slow-moving car without checking for approaching traffic or giving any signal.

Sahu’s motorcycle crashed into the door, throwing him off balance and causing grievous injuries. While the respondents claimed that the driver had helped take the injured man to a nearby clinic, they did not dispute the manner in which the accident took place. This lack of denial, the tribunal observed, weakened their defence and strengthened the petitioner’s case.

Assessing Loss, Disability, and the Cost of Negligence

A crucial aspect of the tribunal’s ruling lay in its assessment of compensation, which sought to account not just for immediate medical expenses but for the lifelong impact of the injuries sustained. Medical records placed before the court confirmed that Sahu had been certified with 90 per cent permanent disability, a condition that severely limits his ability to work and live independently.

Considering that Sahu was only 21 years old at the time of the accident, the tribunal assumed his income based on the minimum wages payable to a graduate in Delhi, a standard approach adopted in such cases when exact income details are unavailable. Of the total compensation of over ₹84.50 lakh, a substantial ₹64.58 lakh was awarded towards loss of future earnings, reflecting the economic reality that Sahu’s capacity to earn a livelihood has been drastically curtailed.

Additional amounts were granted under other heads, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of amenities of life. Importantly, the tribunal directed the vehicle’s insurance company to pay the awarded sum, ensuring that the victim is not left waiting indefinitely for relief.

The ruling also draws attention to the phenomenon commonly referred to as “dooring” accidents caused when a vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of an oncoming cyclist or motorcyclist which remains a persistent yet under-recognised hazard on Indian roads.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This judgment is a powerful reminder that road safety is not merely about speed limits or traffic signals, but about everyday decisions that demand care, empathy, and awareness. A moment’s negligence — opening a car door without looking has left a young man with lifelong disability, altering not just his future but that of his family as well.

While the compensation awarded by the tribunal offers some measure of financial justice, no monetary sum can truly restore lost health, independence, or opportunities. At The Logical Indian, we believe that such rulings should serve as catalysts for deeper reflection and positive change.

They underline the urgent need for stronger road safety education, clearer public awareness about shared road spaces, and a culture where motorists recognise their responsibility towards more vulnerable road users. Accountability through the law is essential, but preventing such tragedies through mindful behaviour is even more crucial.