Road Accident Victims’ Right to Compensation and Medical Assistance in India: Legal and Human Rights Dimensions

Riya Bhargava; Rohit Kumar Verma

doi:10.53724/lrd/v10n3.4

Authors

Riya Bhargava Resaerch Scholar, Gwalior Law College & Research centre, Gwalior, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9035-5992
Rohit Kumar Verma LL.M., Institute of Law (SOS), Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8534-2055

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53724/lrd/v10n3.4

Keywords:

Road Accident Victims, Right to Compensation, Medical Assistance, Human Rights, Article 21, Motor Vehicles Act, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Emergency Healthcare, Victim Rights, Access to Justice

Abstract

In India, road traffic accidents (RTA's) are a serious public health and human rights issue, resulting in loss of life, permanent disability and social and economic deprivation of the victims and their families. Although the legal system in the field of motor accident compensation has undergone various changes due to amendments in the law and judicial decisions, problems in timely compensation, access to emergency treatment and enforcement of the law remain a hurdle in exercising the rights of the victims. This paper aims to critically analyses the legal and human rights aspects of the claim of the victims of road accidents for compensation and medical assistance in India. It examines the constitutional framework of protection of victims in the context of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as amended in 2019 and judicial interpretations of the scope of the right to life and right to health. The study also examines the operation of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, the policy of just compensation and the legal duties of the hospitals and public authorities to give prompt medical treatment to accident victims. The paper adopts a doctrinal and analytical research methodology, focusing on the interaction between compensation law, the right to access to justice and international human rights standards. The results show that while there are positive legal advances, there remain procedural bottlenecks, lack of awareness, inconsistencies in victim compensation and gaps in emergency healthcare infrastructure that hinder protection for victims. The paper calls for a rights-based concept that combines the aspects of compensation, medical assistance, human dignity and an overall victim-centric approach in a holistic way. It finally suggests institutional changes, better enforcement, better trauma care systems and better laws to provide adequate protection to the victims of road accidents in India.

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