Thane: 10-year-old gets Rs 4.69L compensation after car crash in 2019

THANE: A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded Rs 4.69 lakh compensation to a 10-year-old boy who suffered serious injuries in a car accident on the Bangalore–Pune highway in June 2019.

The order was passed by tribunal member R.V. Mohite, nearly six years after the case was filed.The boy was travelling with his family when the driver lost control of the car near a village, crashing into a road divider before hitting a tree. The impact was so severe that the bark of the tree peeled off. Two occupants died in the accident, while three others, including the minor claimant, sustained serious injuries. All were admitted to hospital and treated in the ICU.The child remained in hospital for 11 days and underwent major procedures, including debridement, wound repair, and surgery for a mandible fracture. Medical experts assessed that he suffered 12% permanent disability affecting his jaw joint and mouth opening. Despite this, the tribunal noted that he continued his education without losing a year due to the injuries.The tribunal also directed that 9% annual interest be paid on the award from the date of filing the petition until final payment.

The insurance company argued that it was a hit-and-run case involving an unidentified vehicle, but the tribunal dismissed this defence for lack of evidence. The court held both the car owner (who was also the driver) and the insurer jointly liable.Considering the claimant’s age, the tribunal ordered that the compensation be placed in a five-year fixed deposit with a nationalised bank. The bank has been instructed to release the matured amount with interest directly to the boy on completion of the term, without further court orders.The case highlights the lengthy legal process in accident compensation matters, with this petition taking more than six years to reach final disposal.