Higher vehicle accident liability sought
A neophyte solon is pushing for higher insurance claims for death or injury per vehicular accident.
In filing House Bill 8498, AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee said the current insurance claim is unjust.
The measure seeks to increase the amount of insurance claim for death or injury per accident to any passenger, third party or pedestrian without the necessity of proving fault or negligence from P15,000.00 to at least P1 million.
The lawmaker learned about the current insurance claim amounts last April after he received a plea for assistance from the family of a traffic accident victim, a 22-year-old cum laude graduate who tragically died when she and her boyfriend figured in a vehicular accident when they were on their way home.
“Pauwi na sila ng isang Sunday, about 6:30 in the morning, nakasakay sila sa motorsiklo nila, pareho silang naka-helmet. Nakahinto sa Quezon Ave. dahil traffic, nasa tamang linya sila nang bigla na lang silang banggain ng commercial vehicle, isang elf na truck.
“Tumilapon, at sa kasamaang palad, after three days, namatay. Noong namatay, binisita ko po ‘yong magulang. Doon ko po nalaman ‘yong istorya nila,” Lee said.
Lee was told by the girl’s parents that after she was brought to the hospital, her family was offered P50,000 by the owner of the truck.
“Dahil ‘yong pamilya walang pera, kapit sa patalim, tinanggap po ‘yong P50,000, pinapirma. Noong namatay, dahil ang nakasaad po sa ating Insurance Code, ang no fault indemnity – ‘yon pong huwag na nating pag-usapan kung sino ang may kasalanan – ang nakalagay lang doon ay P15,000. So ang ginawa ng nakabangga, inofferan sila ng P15,000 at sinabi na take it or leave it dahil kung sila ay magkakasuhan aabutin ito nang taon-taon,” the solon said.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Motoring
