Legal Question in Criminal Law in India

Accident case

I have to prepare for a case study for my college assignment. The details given to me are as follows:

1.Car accident killing one person and maiming one.

2.Car was coming at full speed from a right angle turn and could not see that there has been an accident after the turn and people have gathered at the accident site

3.Victims of the accident were trying to cross the road with signal on

4.Car driver tried to get to left so that the two people can easily cross the road. Doing so his wheels ran thro the oil on the road present because of previous accident which had happened there (and to see which the crowd had gathered). His car skids and runs over the two people, killing one and maiming other.

5.What case could this be? Rash and negligent driving? why? (as it is the main road with signal on and one cant blame the driver for the speed. Also, his car skidded because of the oil). How much importance should be attached to the FIR if it fails on giving the exact location of the accident (location imp because of the oil factor)? Can I mention the negligence on the part of the victims who were crossing the road with the signal on?


Asked on 11/03/04, 4:55 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Vivek Mapara Mapara Law Firm

Re: Accident case

Sir,

It is the prima facie duty of the car driver to take all precautions and to follow all statutory provision of the traffic control, and any laps in following such provision convicts the driver for the negligence in driving u/s 279 of Indian Penal Code.

In the light of the facts of the case :

(a) While taking a turn it is a matter of precaution, in the public and busy roads, for the driver to cut shot the speed and to be cautious at the turning point.

(b) Secondly when he saw or was able to see crew of people gathered at a site, he was under the obligation to apply brakes on his speed and this would really would have prevented the damage.

(c) Regarding the oil on the floor, cautiously and properly driving as aforesaid would have really prevented such a mishap.

(d) Victims crossing the road with signal on, taking the pragmatic approach, they may not be blamed, cause at that juncture safety and first aid of the victims was necessity rather than traffic signals.

(e) As regards to FIR : This will play a cardinal role in the Trial so as to fix the liability of the car driver.

(f) Victims as regards to their negligence while crossing the road, may not be held liabile.

Kindly take the above steps in the consideration and wish u all the best in preparing ur assignment. May feel free to contact any time for gracious guidelines for the same

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Answered on 11/03/04, 1:50 pm

Re: Accident case

The car is not supposed to come at high speed in a corner. When visibility is not there how can a car be driven at high speed. Therefore it is rash and negligent driving on the part of the driver. Even though there was a signal on doesn't mean that the driver can drive a car at speed around a turn.

As far as exact location of the accident it is important to get the sketch so that the available evidence can be appreciated. In any FIR the location must be mentioned and not doing so the FIR can be discredited.Finally you cannot claim it as negligence on the part of the victims as it is a natural thing for any person who has met with an accident to get into safe place. While reaching to a safe place since the accident occurred the no fault theory will apply.

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Answered on 11/03/04, 7:42 am


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