The incident occurred in late 2024, involving a company vehicle in a crash that resulted in multiple fatalities, including the driver.
The Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation has upheld a ruling requiring an insurance company and the vehicle-owning company to jointly pay Dh140,000 in material and moral compensation to a passenger who sustained severe injuries and permanent disabilities in a traffic collision.
The incident dates back to December 27, 2024, when a company-owned vehicle collided with the rear of a heavy freight trailer. The crash caused serious injuries to the passenger and resulted in the deaths of others, including the driver.
Court records indicate that the passenger suffered skull fractures and permanent damage to the brain and nose. The injuries, which varied in severity, led to significant physical impairment and facial scarring. Medical assessments estimated his permanent disability at 25%.
The victim had initially sought Dh650,000 in compensation, citing his inability to work and the psychological trauma caused by the crash. The insurance company, however, argued for a cap of just Dh50,000, claiming that under standard company employee policy rules, they were liable only for a percentage of the “Blood Money” (Diyya) corresponding to his physical disability.
The court rejected the insurer’s attempt to limit the payout, highlighting a “Personal Accident” add-on in the company’s policy that extends coverage for passengers up to Dh200,000.
In its final ruling, the Court of Cassation upheld an earlier Appeals Court decision, setting the compensation at Dh140,000. The judges deemed this amount a “fair and sufficient” balance to address both the victim’s physical injuries and the emotional distress he has suffered since the accident.
The court also dismissed appeals from both sides, rejecting the insurance company’s request to reduce the payout and the victim’s claim for a higher sum.
