Tag: Rash Driving

Supreme Court: Insurance Can’t Deny Claim Based on Policy Clause When Vehicle Was Properly Registered & Permitted
Supreme Court

Supreme Court: Insurance Can’t Deny Claim Based on Policy Clause When Vehicle Was Properly Registered & Permitted

Supreme Court Judgment Based on the policy's "Limitation as to Use" clause, the Supreme Court ruled that an insurance company cannot deny liability for a utility vehicle registered and permitted as a "contract carriage" to carry passengers. The clause applies only to goods carriages, and the insurer, having issued the policy with full knowledge of the vehicle's registration and permit, is bound to indemnify the owner for third-party claims. The "pay and recover" order was set aside. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from a tragic accident involving a utility vehicle, which led to the filing of five separate claim petitions before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) by the legal representatives of the deceased. The owner of the vehicle, Shyam Lal, was the appellant b...
Supreme Court Ruling: Family of US-Based Driver Wins Enhanced Compensation
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Ruling: Family of US-Based Driver Wins Enhanced Compensation

The Supreme Court, applying the principles established in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi, held that a self-employed person, even one working abroad, is entitled to an addition of 40% of their established income towards future prospects when computing compensation in motor accident claims. The Court enhanced the compensation by recalculating the loss of dependency and conventional heads as per the standardized formula mandated by the Constitution Bench. Facts Of The Case: The case arose from a motor accident that occurred on 31st August 2007 at approximately 3:00 a.m. at Nirmal Kutia Chowk, Karnal. The deceased, Rajinder Singh Mihnas, a 31-year-old U.S. national, was travelling in a car from Delhi to Hoshiarpur when it was struck by a rashly and negligently driven Swaraj Mazd...
Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Explains How to Calculate “Just Compensation” for Accident Deaths
Supreme Court

Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Explains How to Calculate “Just Compensation” for Accident Deaths

This Supreme Court judgment clarifies that allowances forming part of a deceased's salary, if used for family support, must be included in income computation for motor accident compensation. It applies established principles from Sarla Verma and Pranay Sethi to include future prospects and awards consortium as per Magma General Insurance, ensuring just compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act. Facts Of The Case: On February 16, 2009, Lokender Kumar died in a motor accident caused by the rash and negligent driving of a Santro car on the Sohna-Gurgaon Road. His widow and two minor children filed a claim petition before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Gurgaon, seeking Rs. 25 lakhs in compensation. The Tribunal, considering his basic salary of Rs. 3,665 per month and applying a multip...
Supreme Court Overturns Contributory Negligence in Fatal Bike Crash, Awards Full Compensation
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Overturns Contributory Negligence in Fatal Bike Crash, Awards Full Compensation

The Supreme Court quashed the contributory negligence finding, holding the car driver solely liable for the 2009 accident. It ruled that the High Court erred by ignoring eyewitness testimony (PW-4) and a crucial site plan proving the motorcyclist was on his correct side. Full compensation was restored as deductions under Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, were invalid. The Court emphasized beneficial interpretation in accident claims and permitted late evidence admission given the summary nature of proceedings. Facts Of The Case: On July 26, 2009, Gautam (22 years, bachelor) drove a new motorcycle (insured by Bajaj Allianz) with Harpal Singh (30 years, pillion rider) near Kaithal, Haryana. An Alto car (insured by New India Assurance), driven by Gulzar Singh, collided head-on wi...