Court Awards BD 25,097 Compensation to Pedestrian Injured in Traffic Accident

Manama: A Bahraini court has ordered a motorist and his insurance company to jointly pay BD 25,097 in material and moral compensation to a pedestrian who suffered severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle on a public road.

According to court records, the accident occurred when the defendant failed to exercise due care while driving, colliding with the plaintiff who was walking along the roadway. The pedestrian sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured jaw, partial memory loss and a permanent disability assessed at 40%. He spent 25 days in intensive care after falling into a coma before later recovering.

The victim subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against the driver and the insurance company, seeking compensation for the physical and psychological harm he suffered, as well as legal interest. His lawyer, Mohammed Jassim Al-Mahdi, stated that the vehicle involved in the accident was insured under a valid policy at the time.

The court noted that the driver had previously been criminally convicted of causing bodily harm through negligence and endangering pedestrians. During the proceedings, the defendant admitted to the charges, paid the imposed fine and did not appeal the criminal judgment.

In its ruling, the court cited Article 158 of the Bahraini Civil Code, which stipulates that anyone who causes harm to another is obligated to provide compensation. It found that all elements of civil liability were established in the case.

The court also held the insurance company liable under Decree Law No. 3 of 1987 on compulsory insurance for civil liability arising from vehicle accidents. In addition to the compensation amount, the insurer was ordered to pay legal interest at a rate of 3% per annum from the date the lawsuit was filed until full payment, as well as attorney fees and the costs of the medical committee appointed in the case.