SC Holds Legal Heirs of Negligent Driver Not Entitled to Motor Vehicle Compensation

The Supreme Court has ruled that legal heirs of a negligent driver—who caused a fatal accident due to rash or negligent driving—cannot claim compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act. This landmark decision draws a clear line between compensation for victims and entitlement rights of the driver’s heirs.

Key Takeaways:

The judgment confirms that if the insured driver is at fault, their legal heirs cannot recover compensation under Sections 166 or 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The ruling reinforces the Act’s objective: to provide relief to accident victims and dependents, not to compensate or benefit those responsible for the accident.



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🗓️ Date: July 2, 2025
⚖️ Outcome: Heirs are disqualified if the deceased driver caused the accident
📚 Legal Implication: Injured victims and third-party claimants remain protected under the statute