Dh500,000 insurance payout for road death

The family of a man killed when a motorist drove against the flow of traffic and collided head-on with his vehicle has been awarded Dh500,000 in compensation.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Court ordered the Emirati driver’s insurance company to pay the man’s parents, wife and two daughters after the collision in January, 2016.

Court documents stated the unnamed motorist was speeding in Al Dhafra when he lost control of his vehicle.

The collision caused the Indian victim’s car to veer off the road and overturn. He sustained serious injuries and died days later in hospital. “He was the only breadwinner for his parents, wife and two daughters, and with his death, the family was left without any income,” said legal consultant Hassan Elhais, representing the family of the deceased.

Police reports said the Emirati driver was solely responsible for the accident because he was speeding and driving a car that did not belong to him against the flow of traffic.

The family of the deceased filed a lawsuit against the Emirati driver’s insurer and the vehicle’s owner, demanding compensation.

The insurance company submitted a memorandum requesting the claim be dismissed because it was not responsible for the death nor damages caused by the motorist.

But the court dismissed the claim, ordering the company to pay Dh200,000 in blood money and Dh300,000 in compensation. The insurance company was also ordered to pay all legal fees.