The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra’s Thane has awarded compensation of Rs 29.79 lakh to a 35-year-old man who sustained grievous injuries after a speeding private bus rammed into him in Mumbai in 2022, the PTI reported.
In an order dated April 6, a copy of which was made available on Wednesday, MACT Member R V Mohite held that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus driver and fixed joint and several liability on the vehicle owner and insurer.
Accident details
According to the tribunal, Mayuresh Ramesh Punekar was standing with his motorcycle in Mumbai’s Kanjurmarg area on July 8, 2022, when a private bus approached “at high and excessive speed in a rash and negligent manner” and hit him from behind.
“The driver of the offending vehicle was the person who had the last opportunity to avoid the accident. There is nothing on record to show any contributory negligence on the part of the claimant,” the tribunal said, the news agency reported.
50 lakh compensation sought
Punekar had sought compensation of Rs 50 lakh.
The tribunal held that the claimant had suffered 46 per cent permanent partial disability but clarified that it could not be directly equated with loss of earning capacity.
As per PTI, the tribunal awarded a total compensation of Rs 29.79 lakh to Punekar under various heads, including loss of income, future loss, medical expenses, pain and suffering, conveyance, and special diet.
The amount is to be paid with interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing the petition until the deposit of the amount, the tribunal ordered.
Thane MACT awards Rs 20.52 lakh compensation to family of deceased businessman killed in car accident
A Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in has awarded Rs 20.52 lakh in compensation to the family of a 74-year-old businessman who died in a car accident in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, reported the PTI.
The fatal car crash took place in 2022.
The victim who was identified as Ganesh Gopal Chaudhari had sustained severe injuries after a collision and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on the same day, the news agency reported.
Tribunal holds driver responsible
The accident occurred on November 22, 2022, when Chaudhari was travelling by car from Vikramgad towards Nashik. A speeding four-wheeler reportedly lost control on a bend in the ghat section and crashed into his vehicle, according to the PTI.
The tribunal observed that the driver of the offending vehicle was driving at an excessive speed and failed to properly judge the turn, leading to the fatal collision.
Compensation and liability
Thane MACT member R V Mohite directed the vehicle owner and the insurer, Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd., to jointly and severally pay the compensation, as per the PTI.
The tribunal also ordered that the amount should carry 9 per cent annual interest from the date the petition was filed.
Income assessment and distribution
The tribunal calculated the deceased’s annual income at Rs 5.9 lakh, based on his income tax returns, before arriving at the total compensation amount.
Out of the awarded sum:
– Rs 13.52 lakh will be paid to his wife
– Rs 7 lakh will be given to his son
The tribunal dismissed the insurance company’s argument that the driver did not possess a valid driving licence, holding it liable along with the vehicle owner, the news agency reported.
(With PTI inputs)
