Invalid insurance costs kin of accident victim 10% payout

Chennai: Invalid insurance cost a road accident victim’s family 10% of the compensation as a motor accident claims tribunal cited it as contributory negligence to the accident. The victim’s family was awarded Rs 15.25 lakh compensation at the end.
S Saroja, mother of S Kuppusamy, moved the tribunal. In April 2017, Kuppusamy was riding a two-wheeler along the Melmaruvathur-Vandavasi Road off GST Road when a rashly driven tipper truck in front of him halted suddenly.Kuppusamy sustained fatal injuries after crashing into the truck and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital later. Saroja sought Rs 50 lakh compensation.
The truck’s insurer, meanwhile, contended that the compensation sought was excessive and argued that Kuppusamy did not possess valid documents at the time of the accident.
The tribunal, after perusing records, observed that evidence indicated that the truck driver was the accused and held that the insurer was liable to compensate. Since Kuppusamy did not possess a valid insurance, it fixed 10% of compensation for contributory negligence.
After arriving at Rs 16.95 lakh as compensation, it cut Rs 1.69 lakh as contributory negligence and directed the insurer to pay Rs 15.25 lakh to Saroja within two months.