Yu are right about compensation to blind pedestrian victim of an accident being paid by vehicle insurers, though I foresee the plea of contributory negligence or outright victim's fault being raised in motor vehicles tribunals to minimize insurer's liability in such scenario as well. It will surely be paid nonetheless.
However, I think Namdev was referring to accident benefit by LIC, and it is the unwritten but on the ground position that LIC does not give accident rider to blind. On the main issue of mail i.e. driving non visually, I am not still convinced that it can be effectively done in India in our lifetime.... -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Harish Kotian Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 10:11 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Blind man drives car independently Dear Rajesh Here we are not explicitly talking about Life Insurance with higher benefits. This may have accident cover or not. It is optional and need to be worked out between the 2 parties. Those give you additional benefits. We are I suppose touching on the basic cover. In case of vehicle accident, the insurance company of the vehicle pays thecompensation to the victim's family. I don't think in this situation, the insurance company can deny compensation to a blind pedestrian. What is the position on this matter? Harish Kotian. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Asudani, Rajesh" <rajeshasud...@rbi.org.in> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 12:53 PM Subject: Re: [AI] Blind man drives car independently I am afraid Namdev is right.... LIC always refused to afford accident rider to insurance policies of a VI. Accident rider involves paying some minimal extra amount and getting double the ensured amount in case of accidental death. However, this was explicitly denied to VI policy holders despite communications from LIC chief about no discrimination in insurance to VI. Namdev has put it into past, but I think at present also, this is the situation. It is purely arbitrary and not explicitly sanctioned as no insurance agent shows the relevant documents ever. My brother-in-law however got accident coverage at his demise as they did not bother to enquire whether policy holder was blind. -----Original Message----- From: accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kotian, H P Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 10:42 AM To: 'AccessIndia@accessindia.org.in' Subject: Re: [AI] Blind man drives car independently My Dear Namdeo For heaven's sake please don't give credence to a myth. We already are paying a dear price to someone's whims and fancies already and don't desire to have some more. I am pretty sure your assertion that if a blind pedestrian is killed by a road accident his family member are not eligible for compensation is incorrect. Legal experts please throw light. In case this is indeed a harsh reality, then we should not be a sitting duck. Basking on a myth that in the western world, blind persons and disabled are not tormented by foolish prejudices is regrettably far from reality. Please don't think for a moment that it was a cake walk to obtain this permission. They have worked pretty hard for it and I would consider designing this marvel car would be a smaller challenge compared to convincing the folks at helm of affairs. It requires tremendous grit and determination to see it right through. I guess, in our own life time we shall get an opportunity to ride in our country as well. Now a days, it does not take too much time for goodies to be enjoyed across all boundaries. Even in US it is still a concept vehicle and it would take many years to hit the road. Harish Kotian. From: "namdeo2000" <jadhav.nam...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [AI] Blind man drives car independently It is quite an encouraging scenario for American blind community and even for Western world for that matter, but, it is a distant dream for same community in this country. As and when the technology comes to India or, our roads become eligible for that technology, We would have to fight a fierce battle to convince the concerned authorities to issue a driving license to a blind person. Until quite recently, this was the position in L I C that if a sighted person meets with an accident due to his own neglegence, yet he is entitled for accident benefit. Whereas, if a blind person dies in road accident due to the rashness of motorist, he would not get the same benefit. This is the mentality of our society.----- Original Message ----- ________________________________ Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. 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