Oriental Insurance Co to pay accident victim Rs 17L compensation

A 26-year-old man, who suffered 80 percent disability in a road mishap involving a rashly-driven truck four years ago, has been awarded over Rs 17 lakh as compensation by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.

The tribunal directed Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, with which the offending vehicle was insured, to pay Rs 17.42 lakh as compensation to city resident Raj Kumar, who was injured in the accident.

“The FIR, site-plan and testimony of complainant taken together fully establish that the injuries were sustained by petitioner in a road accident involving the truck.

“There is nothing on record to dispel the inference that petitioner sustained injuries in a road accident which occurred on October 20, 2008 because of the rash and negligent driving of the truck being driven by the respondent number 3 (driver),” MACT Presiding Officer Arvind Kumar said.

The tribunal said it was clear there was no negligence on the part of complainant Kumar. Kumar told the tribunal that the accident took place on October 20, 2008 near Bhojpura when Ramesh Chand, who was driving the truck rashly, hit his motorcycle.

He said he suffered grievous injuries in the mishap and was taken to GTB Hospital and later referred to another hospital from where he was discharged after 10 days. He said he suffered 80 per cent permanent disability in mishap and cannot take up any job.

Kumar, who was working as an accountant at the time of the mishap, told the tribunal that he was also giving tuitions and was earning Rs 12,500 a month.

While the truck driver did not contest the case, the vehicle owner denied all the allegations.