Insurance firm, van driver, owner told to pay Rs 6.48 lakh

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Chandigarh, has directed an insurance company and driver and owner of a van to pay a compensation of Rs 6.48 lakh to a Panchkula resident, who suffered injuries in an accident six years ago.

Rahul, a resident of Sector 20, Panchkula, in the claim petition filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act said that on December 21, 2018, he was going home on his motorcycle. Two persons were sitting pillion. When they reached the old police station road, opposite Gold Marka, Zirakpur, a van coming from the opposite side and hit the motorcycle.

Due to the impact, he and his friends fell down on the road and sustained serious injuries. They were taken to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, by the driver, but thereafter he managed to flee. A fierst information report (FIR) under Sections 279, 337 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was lodged at the police station, Zirakpur.

Due to the accident, he suffered multiple fractures on his right leg, injuries on head and the toe of the right foot had to be amputated. He became permanently disabled and was not able to do any job or labour work. He was earning approximately Rs 20,000 per month from labour work. He had sought Rs 30 lakh along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of accident till the realisation.

On the other hand, the driver and the owner of the van denied the allegations. They claimed that no accident took place.

After hearing the arguments the accident tribunal has directed the insurance company and the owner and driver of the van to pay compensation of Rs 6.48 lakh to the complainant along with interest at the rate of 7.5 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition till the date of realization of the same.