Pune Tribunal Awards Rs 19.24 Lakh in Fatal Road Accident Case
A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Pune has granted compensation of Rs 19.24 lakh to the parents of a 22-year-old man who died in a road accident in 2020. The tribunal held the driver of a car solely responsible for the crash, citing speeding and entry into the wrong lane as key factors.
Details of the Accident and Legal Proceedings
The accident occurred on March 4, 2020, near Waghjai Temple on the Mulkhed–Maan-Hinjewadi Road. The victim, Aakash Saykar, was riding a motorcycle when it collided with a car, leading to his death from injuries sustained. His parents had sought compensation of Rs 30 lakh, arguing that their son was employed in a private firm and also ran a snacks corner after office hours, earning approximately Rs 20,000 per month.
In its judgment, the tribunal relied on police documents, including the FIR, spot panchanama, inquest panchanama, and post-mortem report, which were submitted by the claimants and not contested by the respondents. The car driver was chargesheeted by the police for speeding and causing death by negligence.
Tribunal's Findings and Rationale
The tribunal noted that the road was 60 feet wide, divided into two equal halves for opposite traffic. Evidence from the spot panchanama indicated that the motorcycle was on its correct side, while the point of impact showed the car had entered the wrong lane. Additionally, the motorcycle was dragged about 25 feet, suggesting a forceful collision.
Rejecting defense claims that the motorcyclist was negligent for not wearing a helmet, the tribunal emphasized that the absence of a helmet does not determine the cause of the accident. It concluded that the crash resulted solely from the rash and negligent driving of the car driver.
Compensation and Liability
The tribunal held the driver and car owner jointly and severally liable for the compensation. An ex parte order was issued against the car owner, who failed to appear in court. The award of Rs 19.24 lakh includes interest at 7 percent per annum from the date the claim petition was filed until realization.
This case underscores the legal consequences of negligent driving and the importance of adhering to traffic rules to prevent such tragedies.
