Analysis of Liability Issues in Gratuitous Passenger Cases

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jel.202514511

Author(s)

Ruxi Xi

Affiliation(s)

Faculty of Law (Intellectual Property School), China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Abstract

Against the current societal push for green and mutual-aid transportation, frequent disputes over gratuitous rides reveal judicial challenges stemming from their ambiguous legal nature. This study addresses this issue by examining the nature and liability rules of such rides through conceptual analysis, case studies, and comparative methods. Using the parties’ subjective fault as a classification basis, the paper systematically evaluates liability allocation schemes under various scenarios, advocating for the application of equitable or fault-based liability principles. It demonstrates that pure gratuitous rides, lacking declaratory intent and legal enforceability, constitute acts of courtesy rather than juristic or factual acts, and thus generally fall outside direct legal regulation. The study concludes that liability determination should be grounded in the nature of gratuitous rides as acts of courtesy, balancing rights protection through differentiated fault analysis to provide clear guidance for judicial practice.

Keywords

Gratuitous Ride; Act of Courtesy; Compensatory Liability; Driver; Passenger

References

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