Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: A Complete Legal Study
Section 166 enables victims or their legal representatives to claim compensation for death or bodily injury arising from motor vehicle accidents. This section forms a cornerstone of India’s social justice framework-balancing speed of relief with procedural fairness. The recent law reforms and judicial pronouncements have further enhanced its scope and brought Section 166 closer to the spectrum of human rights and welfare legislation. Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) forms the procedural backbone for claiming compensation arising out of motor vehicle accidents. The provision is remedial in nature and must be interpreted liberally to advance the purpose of social justice underlying the statute. It empowers affected parties—including victims, legal representatives, and dependents—to institute claims before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) for injuries, death, or damage resulting [Read More]