The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal recently issued a compensation directive of Rs 17 lakh to the parents of a 21-year-old who lost his life in a road accident, considering the deceased’s remarkable academic achievements. Gaurav Gurav met with the tragic accident on February 4, 2017, in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, when his motorcycle skidded due to road repairs and was subsequently run over by a truck. Despite immediate medical attention, Gaurav was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. He was accompanied by a friend at the time of the accident.
The tribunal, after thorough examination, determined that the driver of the truck exhibited negligence and failed to exercise due caution, leading to the unfortunate incident.
The tribunal emphasized the driver’s responsibility while driving on public roads, stating, “While driving on a public road, it is the driver’s duty to take utmost care and caution to avoid any accident. Here, it is found that the driver of the offending truck was careless and did not pay attention to the road, which is why the accident occurred.”
In assessing the compensation, the court took into consideration the academic excellence of the victim. Gaurav was a graduate student with a remarkable academic record, securing 81.40% marks in SSC, 70.92% in HSC commerce, and displaying commendable performance in his BCom studies.
The tribunal acknowledged his potential for a successful career and estimated his potential monthly income from a job to be Rs. 7,000. Given that his parents were dependent on him, the compensation was calculated at Rs 10.58 lakh, with additional expenses and interest leading to the final awarded amount of Rs 17.04 lakh.
