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The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra`s Thane district has granted a compensation of Rs 44.13 lakh to the family of a 46-year-old man who died after a JCB crane crashed into a motorcycle in 2020, reported news agency PTI.

Owner, insurer held jointly liable for payout

Tribunal member R V Mohite directed the crane owner and the insurer New India Assurance Co. Ltd. to jointly and severally pay the compensation with 9 per cent interest per annum from the date of the petition, reported PTI.

A copy of the order passed on March 24 was made available on Friday.

Speeding crane hit pedestrian, then motorcycle

The accident occurred on February 5, 2020, when the victim, Prabhakar Bajrangi Sharma, was riding pillion on a motorcycle and a speeding JCB crane first dashed into a pedestrian and then hit the two-wheeler and ran over him, reported PTI.

Sharma, who was employed as an assistant manager in an automobile firm, sustained serious injuries and died during treatment at a hospital in Navi Mumbai, reported PTI.

Tribunal rejects negligence claim against victim

The vehicle owner and the insurance company contended before the tribunal that the motorcyclist had been negligent. However, it rejected these claims, citing a lack of evidence.

“The evidence on record shows that the operator of the offending vehicle (crane) was driving it in a rash and negligent manner,” the tribunal stated, observing that there was nothing on record to show any contributory act on the part of the deceased, reported PTI.

Licence argument dismissed; Rs 44.13 lakh awarded

The insurance company sought to avoid liability by claiming the crane operator did not have a valid licence for the vehicle. The tribunal dismissed this technicality, noting that the unladen weight of the JCB was 7,460 kg, falling under the Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) category, reported PTI.

The tribunal awarded Rs 44.13 lakh compensation to the deceased man`s wife and three sons.

(With inputs from PTI)