Insurance firm told to pay cop Rs 79L damages

The cop was travelling from Chennai to Theni in an ambulance with his mother’s body for funeral rites when the accident happened. The petition was filed by K Marimuthu under Sections 140, 141, 142 and 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act and Rule 3 of MACT claiming Rs 1.24 crore in damages for his injuries.

On November 5, 2012, after Marimuthu’s mother died in a private hospital he was taking her body in an ambulance to his native in Theni district along with five family members when the accident occurred on Trichy–Madurai NH.

“The ambulance driver drove in a rash and negligent manner without following the traffic rules and dashed against a stationed lorry,” read the petition.

The ICICI insurance (insurer of the ambulance) claimed the mishap occurred due to the negligence of the lorry driver who parked without any indication.

The judge, however, observed that Marimuthu had sustained multiple injuries which led to his 95% permanent disability and incurred huge medical bills.