Family of couple killed in highway collision awarded Rs 1.80 crore

The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) has directed payment of Rs 1.80 crore in compensation to the bereaved family following a fatal road accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 2018. The incident involved a car that collided with a truck from behind, resulting in the deaths of both occupants of the car.

In its findings, the tribunal determined that the car driver bore 70 percent responsibility for the accident, while the truck operator was assigned 30 percent liability. The apportionment reflected the tribunal's assessment of the contributing factors and circumstances that led to the collision.

The compensation order represents a significant settlement for the family members of the deceased couple. Such awards by motor accidents tribunals typically account for factors including loss of life, financial dependency, medical expenses, and other associated damages incurred by the family.

The case underscores ongoing concerns about road safety on major expressways in India, particularly regarding vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway remains one of the country's busiest highway corridors, handling substantial volumes of commercial and passenger traffic daily.