Driver seeks compensation after hitting rock on expressway

Quang Chung from Ninh Binh Province was driving his Honda City on the Hanoi – Ninh Binh Expressway when he hit the rock in the middle of the road at around 7:30 p.m. on April 16.

“I was driving at 90 km/h. It was dark and I was dazzled by the headlights from the opposite direction, Chung said. “There was a truck coming up from my left side, so I could not react promptly to avoid the rock.”

 

 

Driver seeks compensation after hitting rock on expressway

Đâm hòn đá do xe vận chuyển làm rơi trên cao tốc

The car suffered damages worth VND70 million (US$3,000), including an exploded air bag. Chung and his wife, who was traveling with him, were not injured.

Chung traced labels on the rock, which measures 30×40 cm and weighs around 100 kg, to find out it had been dropped by the Gia Han Logistics Company in Hanoi.

He contacted the company for compensation, accusing it of unsafe transport that endangered other travelers.

The company admitted that its driver dropped the rock, but said it was an “unlucky incident” and denied responsibility in compensating Chung.

Quang Chung’s car is damaged after hitting a rock on Hanoi – Ninh Binh Expressway. Photo by Quang Chung

Lawyers said the act of dropping items on the road can be fined VND2-4 million according to traffic regulations, but it will not be easy for Chung to claim any compensation.

Dang Thanh Chung of Hanoi Bar Association said that in order for the expressway management unit or the transport company to be held responsible for compensating the driver, the traffic police need to conclude that the damage incurred was “inevitable,” which means the driver was completely unable to avoid it.

People with knowledge in the field said it would be hard for traffic police to draw any conclusion on this case as they are not called to the accident site.

Vinh Nguyen, a driving trainer, said drivers need to slow down if they are dazzled by opposite headlines. This gives them a much better chance of avoiding collision, and any damage incurred will be reduced.