#Punjab HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court raised the compensation for a 2002 motor-vehicle fatality, directing that loss of dependency, future income and other conventional heads be quantified on realistic actuarial assumptions. This clarifies how Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act should be applied when enhancing awards, benefiting claimants seeking higher damages from insurers.

An insurer must honour compensation even if the driver held a counterfeit licence, with the award raised to Rs 4,63,500 plus interest. The decision upholds the pay-and-recover rule, shifting recovery burden to the insurer. Claimants in motor accidents gain stronger protection.