Source: Emarat Al Youm — Dubai Civil Court
The Dubai Court of First Instance (Civil Division) ordered a taxi driver and the company he worked for to jointly pay AED 2 million in compensation to a man who sustained a permanent disability and a 55% loss of bodily function, after the driver deliberately moved the vehicle to force him to let go despite the man clinging to it, causing him to fall and suffer serious injuries.
The case dates back to an incident in which the victim hailed a taxi late at night, but the driver refused to take him. While the man was standing beside the vehicle’s front window attempting to speak with the driver, the driver suddenly accelerated, causing him to fall onto the road. He sustained a fractured skull, loss of part of the skull bones, facial disfigurement, loss of his senses of smell and taste, as well as recurrent seizures.
A forensic medical report confirmed that he had suffered a permanent disability and a 55% loss of overall bodily function, preventing him from leading a normal life or obtaining employment. Meanwhile, the criminal court convicted the driver and sentenced him to three months in prison and deportation from the country. The judgment subsequently became final.
The civil court rejected the defenses raised by the taxi company and the insurance company, affirming that the taxi company remained liable for the damage caused by the driver while performing his duties. It also ruled that the claim had not become time-barred because it arose from a criminal offense, with the limitation period beginning from the date on which the criminal judgment became final. The court further confirmed that it was bound by the final criminal judgment regarding the driver’s fault and its causal connection to the injuries, while retaining the authority to determine the appropriate compensation.
Although the driver’s liability was established, the court took into account the victim’s contribution to the occurrence of the accident when determining the compensation amount. It ultimately ordered the driver and the taxi company to jointly pay AED 2 million for the physical and moral damages, together with 5% statutory interest from the date the judgment becomes final until full payment. It also dismissed the indemnity claim against the insurance company because the dispute had not first been submitted to it in accordance with the legally prescribed procedures.