We hope nobody gets into Road accident. But, did you know? The Indian government provides compensation to the road accident victims. Road accidents have been a long-standing concern for India.
The loss in road accidents can’t be covered but in an attempt to lesser the burden of accidents The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways implemented a Cashless Treatment Scheme on March 14, 2024.
It is an answer to the rising cases of road accidents and the need for immediate medical intervention for the victims. But how much is one compensated following a road accident in India? That’s what this post of Newssow 4 answers.
What Is the Cashless Treatment Scheme?
The Cashless Treatment Scheme, recently implemented, enables road accident victims to get treated in hospitals without the need to spend money out of pocket — till a maximum amount of ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days post-accident.
The move was initially implemented as a pilot project in Chandigarh and is slated to be implemented nationally by March 2025.
The scheme provides for all road accidents involving motor vehicles and is implemented with the involvement of hospitals, police stations, and the National Health Authority (NHA) through a strong digital platform.
Major Features of the Scheme
- Coverage Amount : The victims become entitled to free medical care valued up to ₹1.5 lakh for the initial seven days.
- Golden Hour Focus : The program focuses on rapid response in the initial hour of the accident, the “Golden Hour” — the most crucial hour to salvage lives.
- Eligibility : The accident should be reported to the police within 24 hours to claim compensation.
- Pilot Success : More than 6,800 individuals have been helped through the pilot scheme in six states — Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry.
- Rollout Across the Country : Following the trial run, the scheme will be rolled out in all Indian states by March 2025.
Compensation in Hit-and-Run Cases
Apart from the cashless scheme, the government has also brought about compensation for hit-and-run accident victims. The families of dead victims in such accidents will get ₹2 lakh as compensation. This is a major move towards providing relief in those instances where the offending vehicle cannot be traced or fled the site.
Three Key Steps to Get Compensation
To ensure victims or their relatives receive the deserving financial assistance, follow these steps:
- Report the Accident : Report the accident to the police and emergency helpline.
- Verification Process : The authorities will verify the accident and the status of the victim.
- Hospital Admission : The victim is admitted to a listed hospital where cashless treatment is availed under the scheme.
Benefits of Choosing a Private Cashless Medical Insurance
Though the government’s cashless plan is admirable, it is capped at ₹1.5 lakh and runs for only a week. Private cashless medical insurance plans, however, have more to give for long-term coverage:
- More Coverage : Private health plans typically provide up to ₹5 lakh or even more coverage.
- Extended Stay : As opposed to the 7-day limit in the government plan, private policies may cover extended periods of hospital stays.
- Additional Perks : Insurance can cover the cost of ambulances, post-hospitalization visits, and rehabilitation.
- Cashless Network : Facilitates access to a large network of hospitals without paying anything upfront.
Last Words
The Government of India’s move to introduce a countrywide cashless treatment scheme for victims of road accidents is a forward-thinking step towards enhancing road safety and easing financial burdens on families.
Paying up to ₹1.5 lakh in treatment expenses for the first seven days following an accident, the scheme promises to save thousands of lives every year.
Yet, for others who want higher cover for long-term medical costs, a private cashless insurance policy is still an intelligent and forward-looking option. All these can collectively have a significant impact on survival rates and ensure quality health care when it is needed the most.
We hope this write-up was informative for you, if it was then you can check out Newssow which is home to many informative and life impacting write-ups.
