Justice Unserved: Why the “Forgotten Phase” of Road Crashes is a Crisis of Accountability
Justice Unserved: Why the “Forgotten Phase” of Road Crashes is a Crisis of Accountability
By Adv. Amarjeet Singh Panghal Founder, PRAN Foundation
In road safety, we often focus on the "before"—helmets, speed limits, and road engineering.
A landmark national report,
Expert Insights: Bridging the Gap
As a legal practitioner with over two decades of experience, I was honored to be invited by Crashfree India to contribute as an expert consultant for this research. My inputs, drawn from years of litigation and policy advocacy at PRAN, focused on the "human roadblocks" in our legal system:
The Problem with "Ambulance Chasers": I highlighted how unregulated intermediaries succeed because they offer the immediate "hand-holding" that state institutions—like the police and hospitals—often fail to provide. We cannot simply ban these intermediaries; we must replace them with a functional, official support system.
The Execution Crisis: I shared my observations on why even a "win" in court doesn't mean justice. Insurance companies often stall through technical appeals, and recovering awards from uninsured private owners remains a massive hurdle for the average citizen.
The Civil Society Vacuum: I noted that because road accident law is seen as "too technical," civil society engagement is minimal. We need to shift the narrative: compensation isn't just a monetary dispute; it is a fundamental human right.
The Reality: A Second Trauma
The report reveals a staggering reality: over ₹80,000 crore in compensation claims are currently stuck in Indian courts.
The research by Crashfree India identifies several "black holes":
Information Vacuum: Most victims are unaware of the Solatium Fund for hit-and-run cases.
Procedural Complexity: The journey from FIR to final settlement takes an average of 3.6 years, with many cases stretching beyond a decade.
Low Claim Rates: In FY 2022-23, only 205 claims were filed nationwide under the new hit-and-run scheme, despite an estimated 25,000 eligible crashes.
The PRAN Commitment: From Policy to Action
At PRAN Foundation, our mission is to advance accountability and equity. We fully endorse the report’s call for Digital Integration (like the FastDAR system) and the creation of Institutional Support mechanisms to guide families through the legal maze.
We congratulate Crashfree India for filling this critical "white space" in road safety research. This report is a wake-up call for the judiciary, the insurance sector, and the government to ensure that "Justice Unserved" becomes a thing of the past.
Read the Full Report Here:
Connect with PRAN: If you are a victim struggling with a compensation claim, PRAN Foundation is here to help you navigate your legal rights. Reach us at
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