UAE Court Orders Unlicensed Driver and Vehicle Owner to Refund Insurer Dh295,294 Following Fatal Crash

An Al Ain court has ordered a motorist and a vehicle owner to reimburse an insurance company Dh295,294 ($80,406) following a fatal traffic accident. The driver, who did not own the car, was operating the vehicle without a licence when the collision occurred in Al Ain on February 17, 2024.

Court documents reviewed by The National show that the motorist was convicted by the Al Ain Traffic Misdemeanours Court for causing death, damaging other vehicles, disregarding traffic signs, and driving without a licence. Consequently, the driver was sentenced to six months in jail for driving on the wrong side of the road.

Although the vehicle owner faced no criminal penalties, the insurance company subsequently paid out Dh295,294 to settle claims resulting from the crash. This payout included Dh227,706 to the victim's family, Dh29,034 and Dh31,784 for repairs to two separate vehicles, and Dh6,770 for ambulance services.

Invoking the UAE's unified motor insurance policy, the insurer filed a lawsuit to recover the full amount from both the driver and the vehicle owner. The judge ruled in favor of the insurance company after establishing that the driver lacked a valid licence when the third-party compensation was paid.

Furthermore, the court dismissed the vehicle owner's plea to deduct Dh200,000 previously paid to the deceased's family as diya—a Sharia-compliant compensation for unlawful death or serious injury. Ultimately, the driver and vehicle owner were mandated to return the Dh295,294 to the insurance company, along with late payment interest, court costs, and legal fees.