Driver Can't Be Held Negligent For Sudden Tyre Burst; Vehicle Owner Alone Liable To Pay Compensation: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court has recently held that a driver cannot be held negligent for a sudden tyre burst, thereby, exonerating the driver and fastening liability solely on the owner of the vehicle. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 244]“…The manner of accident shows it is a tyre burst which is not in the hands of the driver and he cannot held to be negligent for the sudden burst of the tyre. The...
The Karnataka High Court has recently held that a driver cannot be held negligent for a sudden tyre burst, thereby, exonerating the driver and fastening liability solely on the owner of the vehicle. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 244]
“…The manner of accident shows it is a tyre burst which is not in the hands of the driver and he cannot held to be negligent for the sudden burst of the tyre. The Tribunal failed to appreciate the facts properly and fastened the liability on the driver. The said observation of the Tribunal is not on proper appreciation of facts and is liable to be set aside..”, the court added.
The single judge bench of Justice P Sree Sudha was hearing an appeal filed by the driver of a tractor trailer, who approached the High Court against the Tribunal's order that made him jointly liable to pay the compensation amounting to Rs11.2 lakhs to the family of the deceased.
For context, the accident occurred on November 17, 2016 when the deceased woman was walking to fetch water from a public tap. The aforesaid tractor attached to the trailer was passing by when one of its tyres burst; the iron ring of the disc, fixed to the tyre, came out of the wheel and hit the deceased, causing her death.
Before the Davanagere MACT Tribunal, the family members including the husband and the minor children preferred a plea. The Tribunal held both the driver and owner of the vehicle liable to pay the compensation.
Challenging the award, the driver contended that he was merely operating the vehicle with a valid driving license and he cannot be fastened with the liability for a tyre burst. The iron ring of the disc hitting the deceased was a consequence of trolley wheel bursting, which was not within his control, it was argued. The driver also contended that the owner of the tractor trolley alone would be liable.
While agreeing with the driver's contentions and allowing the appeal, the court said that the owner alone would be liable to pay compensation to the family of the deceased.
Case Title: Manjunatha H.C. vs. Buden Sab & Ors.
Case No.: MFA No. 2959 of 2019 (MV-I)
Case Title: 2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 244