1. This appeal has been filed by the claimant against the award in OP(MV) No.1349 of 2008 on the files of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Kottayam, a claim petition filed under S.163A of the Motor Vehicles Act (for short, "the Act"). The respondents herein were the respondents before the tribunal.

2. The case of the appellant / claimant is that on 03.06.2005, while a car bearing Reg.No.KL - G / 3727 steered by the claimant was being towed by another car bearing Reg.No.KL - 3/9818, a bus bearing Reg.No.KL - 7 / AA - 3562 driven by the first respondent in a rash and negligent manner, hit the car steered by the claimant, whereby he sustained grievous injuries. He approached the tribunal claiming a total compensation of Rs.5,00,000/-.

3. Respondents 1 and 2, driver and owner of the offending bus respectively, remained ex parte before the tribunal. The additional fourth respondent, the driver of the car bearing Reg.No.KL - 3/9818 which was towing the car steered by the claimant, filed a written statement, alleging negligence on the part of the claimant. The additional fifth respondent, the previous owner of the car bearing Reg.No.KL - 3/9818, filed a written statement, contending t