Road Accidents in India: Who is Responsible and What Does the Law Say?

In Indian road accidents, there are varied reactions from the victim, involved parties, public, police, and the legal system.

Here are a few examples:

Pedestrian vs Cyclist:
A pedestrian walking on a two-lane city road accidentally collided with a rear-coming cyclist as they failed to notice each other. The pedestrian fell, sustaining scratches and injuries. Nearby public blamed the cyclist and insisted they take responsibility, as there cyclist was not at fault.
Cyclist vs Two-Wheeler:
A cyclist returning home after work made a right turn without checking for rear vehicles or using hand signals. A two-wheeler rider collided with the cyclist, resulting in head injuries and a hand fracture. Who is to blame here?
Two-Wheeler vs Auto Rickshaw:
A two-wheeler rider with a pillion, heading to a marriage function, failed to maintain lane discipline on a flyover. An auto-rickshaw collided with the two-wheeler, causing injuries. Who is responsible in this case?
Car vs Truck:
A car driver, while driving towards the city, took a sudden right turn at a median gap without stopping or checking oncoming traffic. A truck from the opposite direction collided with the car, causing injuries and damage. Is the road design to blame or the driver’s negligence?
Bus vs Pedestrian vs Truck:
A bus driver, crossing a road intersection, failed to slow down and assess the situation. A pedestrian was crossing, forcing the bus to apply sudden brakes. This led to a sand-loaded truck rear-ending the bus, resulting in passenger injuries. Who is to blame – the bus driver or the truck driver?

Here are a few examples:

In India, road accidents are common, and the root causes are often carelessness and failure to follow traffic rules. Public reaction usually decides the blame immediately based on the vehicle category, often without a proper understanding of traffic laws. The police and legal systems are then involved to address the incident through appropriate procedures.