In a significant ruling, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra’s Thane district has mandated compensation for the victims of a tragic motorcycle accident. The tribunal awarded Rs 7.4 lakh to the injured survivor and Rs 6.5 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
The accident, which occurred on January 19, 2017, on the Nagar-Murbad road, involved a collision between a motorcycle and a tempo. The two-wheeler was carrying Vishal Vasant Baraskar and Dipesh Arjun Pawshe at the time of the mishap. Pawshe was killed, while Baraskar sustained critical injuries, including multiple brain contusions, facial fractures, rib fractures, and lung contusions.
MACT member S N Shah found the tempo owner, Varsha Ajit Gorade, liable for the accident, noting the driver’s rash and negligent behavior. A criminal case was also initiated against the tempo driver, who remained ex-parte during the proceedings.
During the tribunal sessions, advocate AK Tiwari represented Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., arguing that the insurance policy was invalid as the premium was paid after the accident. The tribunal confirmed that the policy’s premium was received at 3:36 pm, whereas the accident occurred between 8:15 and 9:00 am, absolving the insurance company from any financial liability.
For Baraskar, the tribunal awarded compensation totaling Rs 7.4 lakh for his severe injuries. In Pawshe’s case, his family received Rs 6.5 lakh, which included Rs 5.4 lakh for loss of future dependency, Rs 30,000 for loss of estate and funeral expenses, and Rs 80,000 for filial consortium.
