Man given Rs 19.24 lakh damages for 100% disability in mishap

A man, who became 100 percent disabled after a rashly-driven truck ran over his both legs while he asleep on roadside, has been awarded around Rs 20 lakh as a compensation by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.

The tribunal asked the Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd to pay Rs 19,24,580 to Dil Bagh Singh, who had to undergo amputation of his legs resulting into 100 per cent disability.

"In view of the testimony of the petitioner (Singh) and other documents, the preponderance of probability is that respondent no.1 (driver) caused the accident by driving the offending truck rashly and negligently which resulted in causing crush injuries on the body of the victim necessitating amputation of his both legs," MACT Presiding Officer Rekha Rani said.

Singh, also the second driver of the vehicle, told the tribunal that on the night of February 16, 2008, he had come to Azadpur Mandi with truck driver Ram Avtar from Assam and after unloading the goods, he was resting at the road side.

Punjab resident Singh said while he was asleep, Avtar started the truck and without taking any precautions or blowing horn, came at a high speed and ran the vehicle over
his legs.

He was taken to hospital where both of his legs had to be amputated, he added.
He was working with M/s J S Khera Transport Company at Azadpur Mandi here and was earning Rs 4,500 per month.

"After having suffered amputation of both his legs, he cannot work even as a labourer because it demands movement from one place to another which he will not be able to do. He will be virtually confined at home," the tribunal said.

It also noted that the truck driver was not holding a valid driving licence at the time of the accident as his licence had expired a week ago.