Chennai: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chennai, directed an insurance firm to pay compensation of Rs 19.20 lakh to a couple for the death of their son in a road accident. A tipper lorry was involved in the mishap at Hosur three years ago.
In the petition, K.Raman and R.Poongodi submitted that their son R.Tamilarasan had completed his diploma in civil engineering and was working as an as executive trainee in a welding products company in Hosur with a salary of Rs 19,250 per month.
The family members including their daughter R.Chandrakala depended on his income, they said.
On March 30, 2015 Tamilarasan was riding a motorcycle from Bengaluru to Hosur when a tipper lorry driven by in a rash and negligent manner overtook the two-wheeler and suddenly halted in front of it. As a result, his bike hit the rear of the lorry and the motorcycle went underneath the vehicle. He sustained severe head injuries and died in hospital.
Family members said the accident occurred due to negligence of lorry driver. Hence, Nagaraju, owner of the lorry and Shri Ram General Insurance Co., Ltd., insurer of the vehicle, were liable to pay a compensation of Rs 60 lakh to the family members.
In its reply, the insurance firm denied the manner of accident and said that it was not liable to pay any compensation.
Tamilarasan was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. He sustained injuries only on his head. If he had worn a helmet, his death could have been avoided.
R.Selvakumar, chief judge, small causes court, said that considering all the circumstances, there was negligence on the part of the bigger vehicle, the lorry at 75 per cent and on the part of the motor cycle rider, 25 per cent. The lorry owner and insurance firm were jointly and severally ordered to pay Rs 19,20,000 as compensation to the petitioners with interest at the rate of 7.5 per cent. The amount shall be paid in three months.
