Man disabled in road accident gets Rs 69 lakh compensation

A 36-year-old man, who suffered 80 per cent physical disability after being hit by a rashly driven truck in 2008, has been awarded a compensation of over Rs 69 lakh by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) here.
The tribunal directed the Oriental Insurance Company, with which the offending truck was insured, to pay Rs 69,03,713 to Manoj Jain, who was on his motorcycle when the truck hit him in Lajpat Nagar on December 20, 2008.
"As no contrary evidence came against the petitioner, it stands proved that the petitioner (Manoj) had suffered injuries due to rash and negligent driving of respondent no. 1 (truck driver)," MACT Presiding Officer Ajay Kumar Jain said.

The tribunal noted that despite various summons issued to the driver and the insurance company, they chose to remain absent during the hearings and were proceeded ex-parte.
While awarding the compensation, the tribunal relied on the testimony of the victim and his medical reports which confirmed that his right leg was crushed and he suffered 80 per cent permanent disability.
According to the petition filed by victim Manoj, he was on a motorcycle with his friend when the speeding truck hit them.

Due to the impact they fell down and Manoj's right leg was crushed under the wheels of the truck.

Truck driver Pappu Khan tried to escape from the spot but was apprehended by the public. Both the victims were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre where Manoj underwent multiple surgeries for over a month.
Meanwhile, the tribunal accepted the plea of the insurance company that the owner of the truck had breached the terms and conditions of the insurance policy by allowing Pappu to drive on a fake licence.
It said the insurance company was entitled for recovery charges from the owner and driver after duly compensating the victim.
Manoj, who was working as a contractor at the time of the mishap, had approached the tribunal seeking compensation as due to the disability, he was not able to work and had to look after his two minor children and aged mother.