Drunk driver to pay BD12,000 in accident claim

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The High Commercial Court has rejected a claim by an insurance company seeking BD12,000 in compensation from a business and its employee for an accident caused by the employee’s drunk driving. The court ruled that the company was not liable, as the employee acted outside the scope of his employment and stole the vehicle keys.

The court did, however, order the employee to repay the insurance company. The insurance company filed the lawsuit against both the company and its employee, seeking joint and several liability for the BD 12,000 already paid to the victim. The accident occurred when the employee, driving the company vehicle while intoxicated, caused an accident resulting in the amputation of the victim’s leg and a 35% disability.

The lawyer for the company, Khalifa Isa, argued that the employee stole the vehicle keys outside of working hours and was not authorised to drive the vehicle. He contended that the company bore no responsibility for the accident and that the lawsuit should be dismissed.