Answer Book question
Yes, from the government, even when the vehicle is never found. Under the Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022, the family of a person killed receives ₹2 lakh and a grievously injured person receives ₹50,000, paid from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund through the General Insurance Council. Apply to the Claims Enquiry Officer of the taluk where the accident happened; the District Collector as Claims Settlement Commissioner sanctions it, and the scheme's own timeline is under three months. Separately, any road-accident victim is entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh in the first seven days under the 2025 cashless treatment scheme, at designated hospitals.
Yes, from the government, even when the vehicle is never found. Under the Compensation to Victims of Hit and Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022, the family of a person killed receives ₹2 lakh and a grievously injured person receives ₹50,000, paid from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund through the General Insurance Council.
Apply to the Claims Enquiry Officer of the taluk where the accident happened; the District Collector as Claims Settlement Commissioner sanctions it, and the scheme's own timeline is under three months. 5 lakh in the first seven days under the 2025 cashless treatment scheme, at designated hospitals.
A rubber tapper walking home near Konni is struck by an unidentified vehicle and dies. The police register the case; no vehicle is traced. His widow is told by neighbours that 'nothing can be done without the vehicle'. The 2022 scheme pays ₹2 lakh to legal representatives on exactly these facts, on an application with the FIR, post-mortem certificate and her heirship proof.
Section 161 of the Motor Vehicles Act, as amended in 2019, provides for hit-and-run compensation; the 2022 scheme, in force from 1 April 2022, fixed the amounts and the process, replacing the 1989 Solatium Scheme (which paid ₹25,000 and ₹12,500).
Process: police must send a First Accident Report to the Claims Enquiry Officer within a month; the victim or family files Form I with the FIR, medical or post-mortem certificate, identity and bank details; the Enquiry Officer reports within a month; the Collector sanctions within 15 days; the General Insurance Council pays electronically. Any amount already paid under the cashless-treatment (golden hour) scheme is deducted.
If the vehicle is later identified, the amount is adjusted against any Motor Accident Claims Tribunal award. 5 lakh for grievous hurt payable by the insurer, which the family can accept in lieu of going to the Tribunal; accepting it closes the Tribunal route, so take advice before choosing.
FIR registered with the accident recorded as hit-and-run; insist on that wording if the vehicle is untraced Post-mortem certificate or injury certificate showing grievous hurt Legal heirship certificate or family membership certificate from the village office Whether the victim was treated under the cashless scheme (the amount is netted) Whether the vehicle was later traced; then the Tribunal route and the ₹5 lakh option open up
Not applying at all because the vehicle was never found. That is the whole point of the scheme. Also: letting the police file it as a 'fall' or 'unknown cause' to close the case quickly; that kills the claim.
Kerala's accident rate makes this unusually relevant, and the Claims Enquiry Officer is ordinarily the Tahsildar or a designated taluk officer; the Pathanamthitta Collectorate is the Settlement Commissioner. Kerala also operates its own victim-assistance measures through the Legal Services Authority; ask KeLSA (Legal 2) about the Victim Compensation Scheme if the injury is severe.
Death: ₹2,00,000 to legal representatives. Grievous injury (fracture, loss of limb, permanent impairment): ₹50,000 to the injured person. Treatment cost ₹60,000 already paid under the cashless scheme in the first week: the scheme deducts it from a grievous-injury award only to the extent the rules provide; ask the Enquiry Officer to show the computation.
Minor injuries are outside. If the vehicle is identified, the main remedy is the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, where awards are based on income and dependency and are usually far larger; the hit-and-run amount is an advance against that. Drunk or negligent conduct by the victim does not bar the hit-and-run payment, but will matter at the Tribunal.
Get the FIR copy with 'unidentified vehicle' recorded File Form I with the taluk Claims Enquiry Officer within weeks, not years If the injury is serious, ask KeLSA about free legal aid for a Tribunal claim
Can I get a free lawyer in Kerala? A family member was in an accident and cannot work. What money is there? (Vol 1)
Health, disability & life events
R. 163(E), 25 February 2022, effective 1 April 2022 · Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Sections 161, 162, 164 as amended 2019 · General Insurance Council hit-and-run claims guidance; district Collectorate Last checked: 22 August 2026. Rates, limits and whether you may qualify change. Confirm with the official source before you act. Ask Kerala Rising: Use only general, non-identifying facts.
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This page is general orientation, not personal insurance, investment, medical, legal, lending, tax, employment, or professional advice. Rules, rates, deadlines, and decisions can change. Confirm the current position with the named official source and use a licensed or qualified professional where your situation requires one. Kerala Rising does not decide whether you may qualify, approve claims, or promise an outcome.