The Supreme Court adds to insurance provider’s conveniences by ruling that no obligation should persist to aid and compensate individuals who die in road accidents caused by reckless driving or their own negligence. Legal heirs of such drivers would not be able to claim insurance bonuses and claims in case of a death resulting from the said accident.
The decision was delivered by a Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan who dismissed a petition seeking Rs 80 Lakh in compensation. The plea was filed by the Wife, Son and parents of NS. Ravisha who died in a road mishap after losing control of his car while driving at high speeds.
Court’s Verdict On The Matter
The tragic accident occurred on June 18, 2024, when Ravisha was driving from Mallasandra village to Arasikere town. He was travelling along with his father, sister, and children. Investigations into the matter revealed that the car was being driven recklessly. The loss of control over the vehicle further led to fatal injuries in the crash.
The Karnataka high court had earlier ruled that since the accident resulted from drivers own rash driving and negligent actions, his family would not be aided with any claim compensation. The Apex Court also stated that allowing compensation in such instances would encourage an individual’s misconduct, which would be perilous for other road users.
The verdict sets a precedent for future motor accident claims and cases where payouts would be based on whether the insured was driving recklessly or not. A strong verdict has been passed as such claim redressals would further increase the number of false claims in the future and would be a legal consequence that would further reinforce the need for adherence of Road and safety laws.
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