Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
(1) An application for compensation arising out of an accident of the nature specified in sub-section (1) of section 165 may be made - (a) by the person who has sustained the injury; or (b) by the owner of the property; or (c) where death has resulted from the accident, by all or any of the legal representatives of the deceased; or (d) by any agent duly authorised by the person injured or all or any of the legal representatives of the deceased, as the case may be : Provided that where all the legal representatives of the deceased have not joined in any such application for compensation, the application shall be made on behalf of or for the benefit of all the legal representatives of the 1. Sub.-S. (2) substituted by Act 54 of 1994, S.53 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994). Prior to its substitution, sub-S. (2) read as under:- “(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be made to the Claims Tribunal having jurisdiction over the area in which the accident occurred, and shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed : Provided that where any claim for compensation under section 140 is made in such application, the application shall contain a separate statement to that effect immediately before the signature of the applicant.” 2. Sub-S. (3) omitted, ibid (w.e.f. 14-11-1994). Prior to its omission, sub-S.(3) read as under :- “(3) No application for such compensation shall be entertained unless it is made within six months of the occurrence of the accident: Provided that the Claims Tribunal may entertain the application after expiry of the said period of six months but not later than twelve months, if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from making the application in time.” 3. Sub-S. (4) substituted by Act 54 of 1994, S. 53 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994). Prior its substitution, sub-S. (4) read as under :- “(4) Where a police officer has filed a copy of the report regarding an accident to a Claims Tribunal under this Act, the Claims Tribunal may, if it thinks necessary so to do, treat the report as if it were an application for compensation under this Act.” to it under sub-section (6) of section 158 as an application for compensation under this Act.] Corresponding Law. - Section 166 corresponds to section 110-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. Objects and Reasons. - Clause 166 provides for the form of application for compensation, the person who may claim compensation, the time within which the application should be filed, etc. It also provides that if the Claims Tribunal, think so, may treat the accident report filed by the Police Officer as per clause 158 as an application under this Act.