NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO LTD Vs. BOLLAM LAXMI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Insurance Company filed these appeals and revisions against the orders and decrees passed by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Karimnagar, in O.P. No. 522 of 1996 etc. Since all these matters arise out of a single motor accident, they are heard together and being disposed of by this common order. The respondents in these appeals are the injured/claimants.

(2.) The brief facts: On 24-12-1995, the respondents/claimants in all these cases were proceeding on a tractor-trailer bearing No. AP 15-T-4219-4220 from Manakondur village to Alugunoor village for replantation of paddy seedlings in the land of one Salla Kistaiah. When the tractor and trailer reached near Kurmagundlu village at about 10.30 a.m., a lorry bearing No. A.P.9-T-8816 came in the opposite direction in a rash and negligent manner at a high speed and dashed against the trailer of the tractor, due to which the trailer turned turtle and all the claimants fell down and sustained injuries. All the injured were shifted to the Government Hospital, Karimnagar, for treatment and the concerned police registered a case against the driver of the lorry. The respondents/ claimants filed the O.Ps claiming compensation before the Tribunal, for the injuries sustained by them.

(3.) Before the Tribunal, the owner and driver of the lorry remained absent and were set ex parte.