JUDGMENT :

The petitioner in O.P.(M.V.) No.26/2011 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Palakkad is the appellant herein. (For the purpose of convenience, the parties are hereafter referred to as per their rank before the Tribunal).

2. The petitioner filed the above O.P. under Section 166 of the MOTOR VEHICLES ACT , 1988, claiming compensation for the injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 31.5.2009. According to the petitioner, on 31.5.2009 at about 11 a.m., while he was riding a bicycle, he was knocked down by a car driven by the 2^nd respondent in a rash and negligent manner so that he sustained injuries.

3. The 1^st respondent is the owner, the 2^nd respondent is the driver and 3^rd respondent is the insurer of the offending vehicle. According to the petitioner, the accident occurred due to the negligence of the driver of the offending vehicle. The quantum of compensation claimed in the O.P. is Rs.1,20,000/-.

4. The insurance company filed a written statement, admitting the accident as well as policy, but disputing the negligence on the part of the driver of the offending vehicle.

5. The evidence in the case consists of documentary evidence Exts.