Drunk driver destroys car worth Dh293,000 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A drunk driver who caused a crash that left a luxury car worth Dh293,099 beyond repair has been ordered by the Abu Dhabi Commercial Court to repay an insurance company Dh86,099 — the remaining amount the firm covered after compensating the owner and selling the wreck, Emarat Al Youm reported.

Court documents show the insurer filed a civil claim seeking Dh86,099 plus interest and fees. The company submitted the traffic accident report, the insurance policy, the total-loss assessment, and the criminal judgment confirming the driver’s conviction. The defendant did not appear despite being officially notified.

The insurer said it paid the car owner Dh293,099 after the accident, which happened while the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The damage exceeded the vehicle’s market value and the car was declared a total loss. The company later recovered Dh207,000 from selling the wreck, leaving a shortfall of Dh86,099.

The court noted that the driver had already been convicted of driving under the influence, a violation of the unified insurance policy, which allows insurers to recover payouts if a vehicle is driven while the driver is impaired.

The court said the defendant did not challenge the accident report or the finding that he was intoxicated. It confirmed the insurer paid full compensation and recovered the salvage amount, leaving the remaining cost owed by the driver.

The court ordered the defendant to pay Dh86,099 to the insurance company, plus 5 per cent annual delay interest capped at the principal amount, along with court fees and legal expenses.