<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/thane-mact-awards-rs-63-8-lakh-to-family-of-man-killed-in-2018-truck-crash-23643969" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Motor Accident Claims Tribunal</a> (MACT) has awarded compensation of Rs 1.80 crore to the heirs of a couple who died in a crash on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 2018.</p>
<p>The accident took place on December 23, 2018, when a car driven by Ankit Bhupindersingh Chugh rammed into the rear of a truck after the heavy vehicle applied its brakes.</p>
<p>The Wagon R, carrying Chugh, his wife Sanjana and their two minor children, was dragged for more than a kilometre following the impact. Chugh and Sanjana later died at a rural hospital in Panvel.</p>
<h2>Tribunal apportions 70 per cent negligence to car driver</h2>
<p>In its order dated October 29, MACT Member Gauri Kawdikar observed that drivers are responsible for maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead of them.</p>
<p>The order noted that a vehicle travelling behind cannot automatically be held at fault if the vehicle in front suddenly applies its brakes. However, it also observed that maintaining a safe distance and controlling the car&rsquo;s speed could have allowed the driver to brake in time and avoid the collision.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-thane-mact-grants-rs-64-75-lakh-to-family-of-pune-man-killed-in-2022-accident-23623278" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">The tribunal</a> held Chugh to be &ldquo;70 per cent contributorily negligent&rdquo; and attributed &ldquo;30 per cent liability&rdquo; to the truck driver&rsquo;s rash and negligent driving.</p>
<h2>Insurer directed to pay compensation first</h2>
<p>The insurance company argued that the truck&rsquo;s permit was valid only in Rajasthan and Gujarat and had not been extended to Maharashtra, where the accident occurred.</p>
<p>The MACT ruled that the insurer must first satisfy the compensation award in favour of the claimants. It also granted the company the liberty to recover the exact amount from the truck owner subsequently.</p>
<h2>Compensation assessed based on couple&rsquo;s income</h2>
<p>The tribunal considered the respective incomes of Sanjana Chugh, who worked at Samsidh Mount Litra Zee School, and Ankit Chugh, who was employed as a senior delivery specialist at Dell International Services, while calculating <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/six-years-on-thane-mact-awards-rs-38-lakh-to-mother-for-sons-death-in-2020-road-accident-23653290" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">the compensation</a>.</p>
<p>The claimants were awarded a total of Rs 1.80 crore. The amount includes Rs 92,53,500 for Sanjana&rsquo;s death and Rs 88,45,732 for Chugh&rsquo;s death.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from PTI)</strong></p>

MACT awards Rs 1.80 crore to the heirs of a couple killed in a 2018 Mumbai-Pune Expressway crash, holding the car driver 70% contributorily negligent

MACT awards Rs 1.80 crore to kin of couple killed in Mumbai-Pune Expressway crash

Mumbai airport to shut both runways for six hours on November 19 for post-monsoon maintenance

The accident took place on December 23, 2018, when a car driven by Ankit Bhupindersingh Chugh rammed into the rear of a truck after the heavy vehicle applied its brakes

Mumbai-Pune Expressway crash: MACT awards Rs 1.80 crore to heirs of couple killed in 2018

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