Woman Severely Injured in Garbage Truck Collision; Changhua Court Orders Township Office to Pay NT$4.1 Million

According to a civil judgment from the Changhua District Court, on the evening of January 27, 112 (2023), a sanitation worker, Mr. Huang, was driving a garbage truck and allegedly made an abrupt left turn without yielding to an oncoming vehicle that had already entered the intersection. Ms. Zou, riding a motorcycle, collided with the truck and suffered injuries including intracranial hemorrhage. She was subsequently assessed as having a profound intellectual disability, and guardianship was confirmed in the same year. Her family argued that the garbage truck driver's negligence during his duty caused Ms. Zou's injuries, and therefore, the township office should be held liable for national compensation. Upon review, the judge determined that Mr. Huang was the primary cause of the accident. Ms. Zou was found to be a secondary cause due to driving without a license, entering the intersection during the end of a yellow light, and failing to pay attention to her surroundings. Considering the contributory negligence of both parties, the court ruled that Mr. Huang was responsible for 60% of the compensation, and Ms. Zou was responsible for 40%. The Changhua District Court stated that faced with Ms. Zou's severe injuries, her husband and children have suffered greatly. It will be difficult for them to share family life as before, and communication with Ms. Zou will be challenging. They will also bear the heavy burden of long-term care. The Homei Township Office was ordered to pay medical expenses, long-term care costs, and compensation for emotional distress to Ms. Zou, her husband, and their two children, totaling over NT$4.1 million. The case is subject to appeal. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) (Published April 8, 2015)