Compensation for death or injury in a road accident is claimed before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The process is designed to be accessible, but a well-documented claim makes a real difference to the outcome.
Who can file a claim?
The injured person, the owner of damaged property, or — in a death case — the legal representatives of the deceased may file a claim petition.
What compensation can cover
- Loss of income or dependency
- Medical expenses, including future treatment
- Pain and suffering, and loss of amenities
- Funeral expenses, loss of estate and loss of consortium in death cases
Documents to collect
- FIR and the accident report
- Medical records, bills and disability certificate (if any)
- Proof of age, income and occupation of the injured or deceased
- Vehicle and insurance details, where known
Act early
Following the 2019 amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, time limits apply to claim applications. It is best to seek advice as soon as possible after the accident.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Written by
Adv. Manoj Kaushik
Advocate, High Court of Punjab & Haryana · Ph.D. (Law) scholar · Founder & Managing Partner, Kaushik Legal Nexus