Thane, May 12 — The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane district has directed the payment of Rs 22.3 lakh in compensation to five members of a family who were injured in a 2018 road accident.
The order, issued by MACT member S N Shah on May 3, was made public on Monday. It holds both the owner of the car and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co Ltd accountable for the compensation.
Accident on Mumbai-Pune Highway
The incident occurred on November 10, 2018, on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway. According to the tribunal’s findings, the car involved in the accident collided with an autorickshaw carrying the victims, causing it to overturn. Among the five injured passengers were two children.The tribunal concluded that the accident resulted from the negligent driving of the car’s driver. At the time, the car was insured with HDFC ERGO and owned by a private party.
Controversy Over Driving Licence
A crucial argument in the case revolved around the driver's licence. The insurer contended that the driver held a valid licence only for two-wheelers, not for light motor vehicles (LMV), and therefore had violated the terms of the insurance policy.Despite this, the tribunal ruled in favor of the claimants. It stated that the insurer must first satisfy the compensation amount and then has the right to recover the sum from the driver of the vehicle.
The judgment highlights the principle that compensation to victims cannot be denied due to technical breaches of policy, ensuring relief to the affected family.