Indian National Awarded AED 112,000 in Compensation After Fujairah Road Accident

FUJAIRAH: An appeals court in Fujairah has ordered an insurance company to pay AED 112,000 (approximately ₹27 Lakh INR) in compensation to Rakesh Kumar Barrwa Ram, an Indian national who sustained severe injuries in a complex traffic accident in Dibba Al Fujairah.

The accident occurred on January 17, 2024. The incident unfolded when a pickup truck carrying glass sheets carelessly entered a main road. To avoid a direct collision with the pickup, an Emirati national driving a Toyota Land Cruiser was forced to swerve suddenly. This maneuver led the Land Cruiser to collide head-on with a Toyota bus coming from the opposite direction, driven by Rakesh Kumar.

Following an investigation, the traffic department assigned 70% responsibility to the pickup driver for entering the road without ensuring it was clear, and 30% responsibility to the Land Cruiser driver for a lack of sufficient caution and control.

Rakesh Kumar sustained grave injuries to his head (brain) and hand. He was rushed to Khorfakkan Hospital, where he underwent extensive medical treatment for a significant period.

Seeking justice, Rakesh’s relatives approached Salam Pappinissery, CEO of YAB Legal Services. The legal team filed a civil claim against the insurance providers of both the pickup and the Land Cruiser.

Initially, the lower court awarded a compensation of AED 80,000. However, recognizing that this amount was insufficient given the severity of the permanent injuries, the legal team at YAB Legal Services filed an appeal. They submitted detailed medical memorandums and argued for a higher settlement based on the victim's long-term suffering and loss of earning capacity.

In a significant legal victory, the Fujairah Court of Appeals reviewed the comprehensive medical evidence and the merits of the appeal, ultimately deciding to increase the total compensation to AED 112,000. Beyond the primary settlement for physical and moral damages, the court further ordered the insurance company to pay an annual interest of 5% on the total amount, effective from the date of the claim until full settlement. Additionally, the ruling mandated the payment of AED 3,850 to cover specific medical expenses and AED 500 toward legal fees, ensuring that the victim received a fair and comprehensive financial recovery for his suffering and long-term losses.