Himachal amends accident claim rules

To ensure in time payment of accident and vehicle claims to the victims the state government today amended the accident claim rules.
This was informed by Transport Minister Bikram Singh in a press statement given here today. He said that government has accorded in-principle approval to the amended draft of rules 215 to 235 mentioned in the Road Accident Claims Tribunal under the HPMV (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
The implementation of the amended rules, under Sec 146 of the HPMV  Act, 1988, if there is no valid insurance of the vehicle at the time of the accident, the affected would be compensated as per the directions of the tribunal. 
After this amendment, the claim process would be expedited and the claim settlement would be ensured in a time bound manner, he added.

Minister also informed  that  proper provision would be made to protect the interests of applicant under this amendment. 
Under this provision  vehicle would not be released after accidental death, injuries or damage to property and if if there is no third party risk cover in the insurance policy, a provision has been made to sell the  vehicle by the police and compensation to the affected.
The rules would help to  simplify the process of time-bound payment under accident insurance to the applicants and claims to be transferred to the beneficiary’s account through RTGS or NEFT. 
In case more than one vehicle is involved in the accident, the claim amount would be paid to all the vehicles on the basis of police report.  If the claimant is unable to bear the cost of summoning the witnesses, the cost would be borne by the Government.

A provision has also been made to constitute a Medical Board by the Tribunal on Disability Claims and submit the report within 15 days, he added.
Minister said that after Gazette notification of the amendment it would be given final shape after inviting public objections or suggestions.