Thane, April 5 A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of ₹20.52 lakh to the family of a 74-year-old businessman who died in a car collision in Maharashtra's Palghar district in 2022.
The Thane MACT member, R V Mohite, directed the owner of the offending vehicle and the insurer, Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd., to jointly and severally pay the compensation with 9 per cent interest per annum from the date of the petition.
A copy of the order dated March 25 was made available on Saturday.
The accident occurred on November 22, 2022, when the victim, Ganesh Gopal Chaudhari, was travelling in a car from Vikramgad in Palghar district towards Nashik, and a speeding four-wheeler collided with his vehicle in the ghat section.
Chaudhari sustained serious injuries and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital the same day.
The tribunal noted that the driver of the offending car failed to judge the bend, came in at high and excessive speed and crashed into the victim's vehicle.
It also dismissed the insurer's contention that the driver lacked a valid license.
The tribunal assessed the deceased's annual income at ₹5.9 lakh based on his income tax returns, and calculated the compensation at ₹20.52 lakh, ordering that ₹13.52 lakh be paid to his wife and ₹7 lakh to his son.
