Panchkula, Dec. 22 -- Observing that the 'mere occurrence of an accident does not prove rash or negligent driving', the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Panchkula, dismissed a compensation claim of Rs.10 lakh filed by an injured man, holding that he failed to prove negligence on the part of the driver.

In an order dated December 19, the tribunal said that compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act can be granted only if the claimant proves that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle. In the present case, the claimant failed to discharge this burden.

The tribunal relied on the daily diary report (DDR) recorded soon after the accident, in which the driver said that while travel...