The Supreme Court of India has ruled that insurance companies are not obligated to pay compensation to victims who die due to rash and negligent driving. This decision was made by a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan, who denied a plea by the kin of a victim seeking Rs 80 lakh in compensation from United India Insurance Company. The case involved a man named N.S. Ravisha, who died in a car accident on June 18, 2018, while driving at high speed and breaking traffic rules.
The accident occurred when Ravisha’s car toppled over and rolled on the road, resulting in his death. His wife and son subsequently claimed compensation, citing that Ravisha was a busy contractor who earned Rs 3 lakh per month. However, the police chargesheet revealed that Ravisha’s rash and negligent driving was the cause of his death, and the Motor Accident Tribunal rejected the claim.
The Karnataka High Court also dismissed the compensation claim on November 23 last year, and the Supreme Court has now upheld this decision. The court stated that the family cannot demand compensation as the death was caused by Ravisha’s own negligence and did not involve any extraneous factors. This ruling sets a precedent that insurance companies are not liable to pay compensation in cases where the victim’s own negligence is the primary cause of death.
The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic rules. It also emphasizes that insurance companies are not obligated to bear the costs of accidents caused by reckless behavior. The ruling may have significant implications for future cases involving rash and negligent driving, and may serve as a deterrent to drivers who engage in such behavior.
In this case, the Supreme Court’s decision is consistent with the principles of personal responsibility and the concept of “contributory negligence,” which holds that individuals who contribute to their own harm or injury cannot seek compensation from others. The court’s ruling is also in line with the objective of promoting road safety and reducing the number of accidents caused by reckless driving. Overall, the Supreme Court’s decision is a significant development in the realm of insurance law and road safety in India.