Kin of road accident victims buckle under mounting bills

Time of India

6 days ago

Mumbai: Families of three victims of serious road accidents in the city, all involving young drivers, have been grappling with emotional trauma and mounting medical expenses.
In Lokhandwala, Naresh Bhagchandani, a 60-year-old garment trader, was left paralysed below the waist after being struck by 20-year-old Manav Jain, who was driving an SUV.
Bhagchandani's daughter said, "My father has become aggressive after the accident.
We are clueless about managing mounting medical bills that touched Rs 40 lakh in 45 days of the accident. We don't know whether we will get justice. We are in trauma and my mother waits outside the hospital ICCU from 6am to 9pm in the hope that our father will be back on his feet. But doctors said recovery will take at least a year." Bhagchandani was hit in Andheri West during a morning walk on June 13.
Oshiwara police arrested Jain, who lacked a valid driving licence. He was later released on bail.
In Vile Parle East, Mangilal Kothari, aged 78, has been unable to stand since being knocked down by a speeding bike on Dec 13 last year while walking home. The driver, Yug Vora, a 19-year-old college student, fled the scene. Kothari's grandson, Mehul, said, "We have spent at least Rs 35 lakh on my grandfather's treatment till date.
The incident has traumatised the entire family and drained us financially. It took almost three months for my grandfather to be out of the ICU.
We have hired a 24x7 caretaker."
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Chandivali resident Subramaniam Krishnan, aged 65, said, "It took almost a year for me to recover 60%. The fracture in my spine is not healed and doctors have advised a strapped belt if I have to walk. The entire incident has left my family handicapped and my wife took VRS to look after me.
We have to fight daily to arrange money so that our son who is studying abroad can meet his expenses. Also, I don't know whether the accused will be punished.
" The accident occurred on Sept 6 at 4pm when a minor lost control of his MUV, striking Krishnan, a corporate legal advisor. CCTV footage of the accident went viral, showing the minor losing control and hitting an autorickshaw before striking Krishnan, who suffered two spinal fractures.
A senior IPS officer said, "Where the victim is not at fault the sections should be made non-bailable."
Retired IPS officer B K Upadhyaya said, "In such cases the family suffers trauma too, and it is difficult to overcome. Legal battles can take a very long time. Compensation is not adequate, and the accused may not also not be punished in time or may be acquitted. There could be delay, indifferent behaviour on part of law enforcement agencies, and complex and time-consuming court proceedings."
Upadhyaya suggested speedy trial, adequate compensation, and proper medical and psychiatric treatment for victims and families.
A city-based psychiatrist said post-traumatic stress disorder following an accident leads to symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. "This trauma is faced by the victim who survived the accident but is bedridden or has no resources for treatment.
Similarly, the victim's family endures stress and financial crises," the psychiatrist said.
IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y P Singh said expenses for serious medical impairment have to be borne by the victim, who loses income due to disability and requires funds for physical care. "It is a sheer double jeopardy. The compensation to address the disability is highly insufficient, which adds to the trauma amid the spectre of bankruptcy."
Singh urged families to present specific, doctor-certified expenses to the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal to get adequate compensation.
"Where the victim is not at fault, the sections should be made non-bailable," Singh added.
Former state director general of police Praveen Dixit said every year at least five lakh persons die and five lakh are seriously injured in road accidents. He recommended the govt announce payments of Rs 5 lakh for a deceased victim and and Rs 3 lakh for the injured, recovering money from insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers. Dixit also urged tribunals, courts and the police to impose heavy fines on rule-breakers, including those who disregard traffic signals.