The invention relates to the prevention of injuries and material damage caused by doors (2) of stopped and/or parked motor vehicles (1) by means of at least one camera (4) which monitors the exterior (3) of, especially the space next to and/or above, the vehicle (1). According to the invention, a mode of operation monitoring the inner (7) and/or outer (8) door handle is activated and the exterior (3) of the motor vehicle (1) is monitored by means of the camera (4) if an evaluation unit (6) detects that a fixed or variable speed-related, acceleration-related, and/or distance-related threshold value (SW) is not met, e.g. when the vehicle (1) is stopped, or if said evaluation unit (6) detects that a signal unlocking the locking mechanism of the vehicle doors (2) is received while causing an acoustic, optical, and/or haptic warning signal to be issued as soon as a person actuates or unlocks optionally in an automated manner the vehicle door (2) handle (7, 8) even though a stationary (9) or approaching (10) object has been detected in the field of vision (5) of the camera (4).