Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A Dubai Civil Court has ordered a restaurant and its valet driver to jointly pay Dh85,000 to a customer with disabilities after the valet driver caused irreparable damage to her specially modified car. The plaintiff, a person of determination, relied on her vehicle for daily work and family responsibilities. Upon arriving at the restaurant, she explicitly explained the car’s modifications, including relocated brake and accelerator pedals, but the valet driver insisted he could handle it. However, the driver lost control of the vehicle, hitting a sidewalk and causing extensive damage. In her court testimony, the plaintiff described the impact the accident had on her life, from financial burdens to disruptions in her ability to work. The insurance company refused to cover damages, citing depreciation that exceeded 50 percent of the car’s market value. The restaurant contested her claims, arguing insufficient evidence and shared liability. A court-appointed technical expert assessed the vehicle, concluding it was beyond economic repair, with damages estimated at Dh80,000 and a market value of Dh75,000. The expert noted the complexity of the car’s modifications, emphasizing that they could confuse an untrained driver. The court ultimately ruled that the valet driver was negligent, citing a previous Traffic Court conviction for reckless driving. In its judgment, the court awarded the plaintiff Dh75,000 for the car’s value and an additional Dh10,000 for moral damages. ICA/Expat Media
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