Thane MACT Awards ₹10.25 Lakh to Woman Injured in 2018 Bus Accident

Thane, Maharashtra : The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded ₹10.25 lakh in compensation to a 45-year-old woman who sustained serious injuries in a bus accident on January 1, 2018. The tribunal held the bus owner, Ameya Travels, and its insurance provider, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., liable for the damages.

The incident occurred when a negligently driven bus collided with the gate of a building on Pedder Road, Mumbai, late at night. The injured, Amee Dharmendra Bhuta, was returning from a New Year’s party with friends when the accident took place. She suffered multiple fractures and serious injuries, leading to a 35 percent permanent partial disability.

Advocate Baldev B Rajput, representing the claimant, informed the tribunal that the accident had a profound impact on Bhuta’s life. The petitioner, who was 45 at the time of the incident, was self-employed with a monthly income of ₹25,000. She sought ₹26.95 lakh in compensation for various categories, including loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The tribunal, led by MACT member S N Shah, acknowledged the bus driver’s negligence as the cause of the accident. It also noted that a criminal case had been filed against the driver. The compensation amount includes provisions for anticipated income loss, medical costs, specific dietary needs, transportation, and more.

The insurance company has been directed to pay the compensation along with 8 percent annual interest from the date of petition filing, within one month. Additionally, the insurance firm can recover the awarded amount from the bus owner. Part of the compensation will be disbursed to the injured party, while the remaining sum will be placed in a fixed deposit.

This ruling underscores the importance of road safety and the legal recourse available to accident victims seeking justice and compensation.