The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded compensation of Rs 1.80 crore to the heirs of a couple who died in a crash on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 2018.
The accident took place on December 23, 2018, when a car driven by Ankit Bhupindersingh Chugh rammed into the rear of a truck after the heavy vehicle applied its brakes.
The Wagon R, carrying Chugh, his wife Sanjana and their two minor children, was dragged for more than a kilometre following the impact. Chugh and Sanjana later died at a rural hospital in Panvel.
Tribunal apportions 70 per cent negligence to car driver
In its order dated October 29, MACT Member Gauri Kawdikar observed that drivers are responsible for maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead of them.
The order noted that a vehicle travelling behind cannot automatically be held at fault if the vehicle in front suddenly applies its brakes. However, it also observed that maintaining a safe distance and controlling the car’s speed could have allowed the driver to brake in time and avoid the collision.
The tribunal held Chugh to be “70 per cent contributorily negligent” and attributed “30 per cent liability” to the truck driver’s rash and negligent driving.
Insurer directed to pay compensation first
The insurance company argued that the truck’s permit was valid only in Rajasthan and Gujarat and had not been extended to Maharashtra, where the accident occurred.
The MACT ruled that the insurer must first satisfy the compensation award in favour of the claimants. It also granted the company the liberty to recover the exact amount from the truck owner subsequently.
Compensation assessed based on couple’s income
The tribunal considered the respective incomes of Sanjana Chugh, who worked at Samsidh Mount Litra Zee School, and Ankit Chugh, who was employed as a senior delivery specialist at Dell International Services, while calculating the compensation.
The claimants were awarded a total of Rs 1.80 crore. The amount includes Rs 92,53,500 for Sanjana’s death and Rs 88,45,732 for Chugh’s death.
(With inputs from PTI)
