Pawan Kumar & Anr vs M/S Harkishan Dass Mohan Lal & Ors

The Supreme Court held that in cases of composite negligence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the drivers/owners of both vehicles involved in an accident should be held jointly and severally liable for compensation, rather than apportioning liability based on contributory negligence. The Court found that the High Court's decision to allocate 70% liability to the truck and 30% to the jeep was erroneous. The Court emphasized that third-party claimants should not suffer due to the apportionment of liability and directed that the full compensation be payable by the drivers/owners of both vehicles involved in the accident.