Thane: The Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded Rs 3.78 lakh in compensation to a Kalwa-based woman, who suffered facial disability due to a severe road accident Ahmednagar in 2020. The crash was so severe that the driver died on the spot.

After reviewing the evidence, the court held that the police documents clearly established the accident was caused due to the driver’s negligence. Consequently, the family members of the deceased driver, who were named as respondents in the case, were held liable to compensate the petitioner (victim).

According to the case, Minal Choudhary, a resident of Kalwa, was traveling in a Bolero Jeep from Manmad to Ahmednagar in 2020. As per Minal’s statement, the driver, Omprakash Siravi, was speeding excessively and driving in a rash and negligent manner, leading to a head-on collision with an oncoming truck. The driver died on the spot, while Minal suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized.

At the time of the accident, Minal was a 9th standard student. Following the incident, she filed a case against the vehicle owner (represented by his family) and the vehicle’s insurance provider, Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd.

The court considered the disability certificates submitted by the petitioner, which confirmed that she suffered facial disability due to the accident.

“As far as the quantum of compensation is concerned, ₹1,03,871 was spent on medical treatment, and the petitioner is entitled to this amount. Regarding disability, Dr. Vinayak Joshi issued a disability certificate of 32.5%, while Dr. Makarand Narvekar certified a visual disability of 40%. Additionally, the petitioner suffered facial disability, for which she was examined by plastic surgeon Dr. Meera Bhave, who confirmed that she was provided conservative treatment,” the court noted.

The court observed that currently the petitioner is pursuing a B.Sc. in Information Technology (BSc IT) and it no where shows that her injuries cause functional disability affecting future income, hence she was not awarded for permanent disability, but a compensation was granted towards her pain, suffering, and loss of amenities of life.

Thus the court has allowed the victim with Rs 1,03,871 for her medical expense, Rs 2,50,000 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities and an additional Rs 25,000 for miscellaneous expenses.