Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that insurers are not liable for accidents occurring outside permitted routes, but must pay victims first and recover from owners under pay and recover principle.
Bombay High Court remands motor accident claim to determine actual driver, holding that Investigating Officer's testimony is crucial to establish liability under insurance policy.
Kerala High Court dismisses petition to condone 514-day delay in challenging ex parte award, holding that false claims of non-receipt nullify any claim of sufficient cause.
Madras High Court rules that burden of proving contributory negligence lies with the insurer, setting aside 50% reduction in compensation for lack of evidence.
Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that absence of fitness certificate does not exonerate insurer from liability under Motor Vehicles Act when policy contains no such condition.
Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that income assessment under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act must account for inflation, enhancing compensation for accident victims.
Kerala High Court holds that authorities must decide temporary permit applications afresh, without being influenced by prior rejected orders, ensuring procedural fairness under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that in MV Act claims, preponderance of probability governs liability; failure to produce insurer's investigator shifts burden decisively to respondent.
Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that unlisted witnesses in criminal cases may testify in motor accident claims if cross-examination doesn't undermine credibility, applying preponderance of probability standard.
Kerala High Court holds insurers liable only for permitted passengers in overloaded vehicles, directing proportional payout of highest award and recovery from owner.
Punjab and Haryana High Court holds that appellate courts cannot decide inter se liability between insurer, driver and owner when a prior remand order has specifically reserved it for the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal.
Punjab & Haryana High Court holds that enhanced compensation under Section 164 of the Motor Vehicles Act applies to pending claims, even if accident occurred before amendment.
Punjab & Haryana High Court holds that in motor accident claims, income of deceased need not be proven by documents if oral evidence aligns with minimum wage norms and economic reality.
Punjab and Haryana High Court holds that 40% future prospects addition is mandatory for deceased under 35, and enhances loss of consortium and funeral expenses per Supreme Court precedents.
Bombay High Court holds that claimants in industrial death cases may withdraw 50% of deposited compensation pending appeal, balancing immediate relief with appellate integrity.