Civil claim launched against reckless driver convicted of killing man’s wife

ABU DHABI // A man is claiming almost half a million dirhams in compensation “for his traumatised emotional state” after a reckless driver caused the death of his new bride in a road crash and left him jobless.

On Wednesday, the Civil Court heard that the man was driving on Al Raha Beach road’s left lane along with his wife, when a driver crashed into them from behind. The woman died and he suffered injuries, which eventually led to him being fired from his job, he claimed.

The widower filed a lawsuit at the Civil Court against the driver’s insurance company to pay him Dh450,000.

He urged the court to refer him for medical examination to show the percentage of disability and physical injuries that he suffered after the crash.

The report issued by the traffic department showed that while the two cars were driving on Al Raha Beach road’s left lane, the driver of the rear car was reckless and speeding which led him to crash into the couple’s vehicle.

This was the main reason for the passenger’s death and the driver’s injuries, the report concluded.

The motorist was already convicted by the Bani Yas penal court of manslaughter and unintentionally causing injuries to the man.

However, the man was unsatisfied with the verdict and claimed further compensation, “for losing his physical fitness which caused him pains and suffering while undergoing medical treatment, and after that his traumatised emotional state for losing his bride which drove him to lose his job after his employers terminated his services”.

The Bani Yas First Instance Court ordered the insurance company to pay the man Dh30,000 in compensation.

Both parties appealed against the verdict, and the Appeals Court raised the Dh30,000 to Dh50,000, plus interest.

The insurance company took the matter to the Court of Cassation.

However, the court rejected their request and upheld Appeals Court ruling.