Government Offers Compensation to Victims of Hit-and-Run Accidents

The government has established a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund that will be used to pay damages in hit-and-run cases and to treat accident victims.

Government will compensate victims of hit-and-run accidents 

In a written response to a question from the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that, as of February of this year's fiscal year, 147 lakh had been paid out in compensation to hit-and-run casualties.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has developed a process for thorough investigations of traffic accidents, Detailed Accident Reports (DAR), and their reporting, as well as deadlines for various stakeholders for prompt settlement of claims in accordance with the plan.

The government has established a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund that will be used to heal accident victims and pay damages in hit-and-run cases.

Compensation for hit-and-run accident victims:

It includes a comprehensive process for obtaining this compensation as well as increased compensation amounts of Rs 50,000 (for severe injuries) and Rs 2,000,00 (for fatalities) for hit-and-run accident victims.

Official Statement

According to the official gazette notification the ‘Hit and Run Compensation Account’means such part of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund that is utilised for the payment of compensation for hit and run accident victims and reimbursement of cashless treatment expenditure of hit and run motor accident victims, to the Account for Uninsured Vehicles or Hit and Run Motor Accident, if any."

Motor Vehicle Accident Fund

The term "motor vehicle accident fund" refers to a fund created pursuant to Section 164B, which includes the Hit and Run Compensation Account, the Account for Insured Vehicles, and the Account for Uninsured Vehicles, or Hit and Run Motor Accident.

Annual Report From the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

According to the annual report from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which was released in 2022, there were 4,12,432 unfortunate instances of road accidents in 2021, which resulted in 1,53,972 fatalities and 3,84,448 injuries. In 2020, the nation experienced an unprecedented decline in accidents, deaths, and injuries. This was caused by the unusual COVID-19 pandemic breakout and the strict nationwide lockdown that followed, especially in March and April of 2020. The containment measures were then gradually lifted and phased out.

Major accident-related indicators have done better in 2021 than in 2019 overall. Compared to 2019, there were 8.1 percent fewer traffic incidents and 14.8 percent fewer injuries. However, the number of fatalities related to traffic accidents rose by 1.9% in 2021 compared to the same time in 2019.