Delhi tribunal awards over ₹1.62 crore compensation to 21-year-old road accident victim

A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded compensation of over ₹1.62 crore to a 21-year-old man who suffered severe injuries and permanent loss of earning capacity in a road accident caused by a rashly driven bus in July 2024.

Presiding Officer Vikram held the bus driver solely responsible for the accident, observing that the rashness and negligence of the offending vehicle were clearly established on record.

The victim, Aryan Rana , was riding his scooty home on July 1, 2024 , when a bus hit his vehicle from behind, causing him grievous injuries. He was immediately rushed to hospital for treatment. The respondents had alleged false implication but failed to lodge any complaint or produce evidence to support their claim.

During the proceedings, the bus conductor , examined as a witness, admitted that the petitioner’s scooty was ahead of the bus and that the collision occurred when the bus overtook the two-wheeler, further strengthening the case against the driver.

In its judgment dated January 6 , the tribunal noted that Rana had been medically certified as having 53 per cent temporary physical disability . However, taking into account the nature of injuries, his young age, and the long-term impact on his life, the tribunal assessed his functional disability at 90 per cent .

“The kind of disability the petitioner has suffered shows that he will never be able to work for gain. His physical disability may improve slightly, but not to an extent that would allow him to earn,” the tribunal observed.

Rana, who was a first-year university student at the time of the accident, was forced to discontinue his education due to the injuries and their aftermath.

The tribunal awarded compensation under various heads, including ₹59.36 lakh towards loss of future earnings , besides amounts for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of amenities, and other damages, taking the total compensation to over ₹1.62 crore .

As the offending bus was insured on the date of the accident, the tribunal directed the insurer, The New India Assurance Company Ltd. , to deposit the entire compensation amount in favour of the petitioner.