Speeding Vehicle Rushes In Without Visibility
On the morning of the 8th of last month, an accident occurred in a basement parking lot of an apartment in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, where a 60-year-old contract worker driving cleaning equipment was struck by a moving vehicle.
CCTV footage captured a gray sedan coming down a downhill ramp, taking the corner at a speed far exceeding the limit, and colliding head-on with the cleaning vehicle that was in operation.
Although the view was partially obscured by parking columns and vehicles, the offending vehicle continued to drive without slowing down or honking. Immediately after the impact, the victim was thrown from the cleaning vehicle and collapsed on the ground, unable to move for a while.
Victim "Rejected hospital admission… Concerned about contract period"
The victim has avoided fractures but is currently undergoing outpatient treatment for extensive bruising and contusions. Colleagues and medical staff recommended hospitalization, but due to being in a month-to-month contract position and their advanced age, the victim felt "awkward" and insisted on continuing to work.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the cleaning service company did not provide enrollment in any of the four major insurances. After the accident, the offending driver only mentioned insurance processing without any separate apology, and it was only after a post spread on the automotive online community 'Bobaedream' that they belatedly reached out to apologize.
Insurance Company Claims "Victim's Negligence"… Public Outrage
The insurance company has reportedly claimed that the victim bears some responsibility for the accident. However, citizens who viewed the footage expressed their anger, stating, "Driving like that in a basement parking lot is a potential act of murder."
Some commented, "It's clearly a 100 to 0 case," and advised, "They should apply for industrial accident compensation and pursue criminal charges," while it has been reported that broadcasters such as JTBC's 'Crime Scene' have expressed intentions to cover the story.
Possible Charges Under Current Law
Legal experts point to potential violations of the Road Traffic Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act regarding this accident.
Article 19 of the Road Traffic Act imposes a 'duty of safe driving' on all drivers, while Article 21 prohibits 'failure to pay attention to the road ahead.' Especially in areas mixed with vehicles and pedestrians, such as parking lots, a safety regulation to drive at or below 10 km/h is customarily applied. Violating this could lead to criminal charges for 'business-related negligence leading to injury' under the Special Act on Traffic Accidents.
Moreover, considering that the victim was on duty, the employer's 'obligation to ensure worker safety' under Article 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and eligibility for workers' compensation under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act apply. One expert stated, "This accident is clearly both an industrial accident and a traffic crime," advising that the victim should pursue both criminal complaints and workers' compensation claims.
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