Bahrain Court Orders Gulf National to Pay BD6,204 After Drunk Driving Crash
A Gulf national has been ordered by the Bahrain High Civil Court to pay BD6,204.570, plus 3% legal interest, following a serious collision involving a rental vehicle.
The incident, which occurred only hours after the vehicle was rented at a rate of BD30 per day, has highlighted the severe financial consequences of violating local traffic laws in the Kingdom.
Insurance Voided Due to Alcohol
According to reports from the General Directorate of Traffic, the driver was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and traveling against the direction of traffic at the time of the accident. The resulting collision with another vehicle caused extensive damage, with repair estimates exceeding BD6,000.
In a critical turn for the case, the insurance provider declared the policy void in accordance with Bahraini traffic regulations because of the driver's intoxication. This decision left the rental company responsible for the damages, prompting them to initiate legal proceedings.
Court Ruling and Evidence
To support the claim, the rental company provided the court with several key pieces of evidence, including:
- The original rental agreement
- The official accident report
- Photographic evidence of the scene
- A formal repair estimate
The legal proceedings, which involved lawyer Zahra Al Madeh, saw no response from the defendant, who failed to attend the court hearings or provide a formal defense. As a result, the court held the individual fully liable for the incident.
The final judgment mandates the payment of BD6,204.570 plus the specified legal interest, serving as a stark warning to motorists regarding the massive personal liability involved when traffic violations void insurance coverage.