The family of two victims, who were killed and injured in a traffic accident, took Didi Cuxing, the app-based cab operator, to court demanding compensation.
In an accident last November caused by the Didi driver Li, a woman surnamed Chu was killed and her daughter, Shang, was injured on their way from Shenzhen to Guangzhou.
Li was sentenced to one year in jail with an 18-month suspension this March, after he paid 250,000 yuan (US$36,575) in compensation, in addition to the compensation from the insurance company and Didi.
The family filed against Didi at Nanshan District People’s Court on Aug. 21 as the family hadn’t received compensation from the company. Didi thought the company shouldn’t have to bear the responsibility because under the car-pooling service mode the company only provides the matchmaking service for drivers and riders. The insurance company covering the car that caused the accident should pay for the compensation. If the compensation exceeds the insurance payment, the driver should take responsibility for the remainder, according to a report by the Southern Metropolis Daily, quoting a lawyer representing Didi.
Lu Xin, a lawyer with the Guangdong SD&Partners law firm, explained that Didi wasn’t simply a matchmaker providing information to the drivers and riders, as the company was deeply involved in the entire transaction process, from the hiring of divers, fixing fares, charging fees and sharing the benefits. It also stipulates rules for drivers to follow and imposes fines on drivers after receiving complaints from riders.
Lu thinks Didi should bear 20-30 percent liability for the accident.