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How is diya (blood money) calculated for a fatal road accident in the UAE?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·2 answers
A family member died in a UAE traffic accident and the relatives want to understand how diya, or blood money, is determined and who decides the amount.

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 26, 2026
Diya (blood money) is the compensation payable to the heirs of a person who dies as a result of another's act in the UAE, and it has roots in Sharia principles incorporated into UAE law through the Penal Code (the Crimes and Penalties Law). It is a fixed, court-recognised sum rather than something negotiated case by case, and it is distinct from any separate civil claim for additional damages the family may bring under the UAE Civil Transactions Law. In a fatal road accident, diya typically arises alongside the criminal case against the responsible driver, and the court determines entitlement and apportionment among the legal heirs according to Sharia inheritance shares. Where the death resulted from driving a vehicle, the driver's motor insurance commonly responds to the diya obligation. Because the exact monetary value of diya is set by law and applied by the court, you should confirm the current figure and procedure with the relevant court or a qualified professional rather than rely on estimates. You can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI experienced in diya and fatal-accident claims.
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real-estate-property, civil-litigation

0.0 · Aug 12, 2026
In the UAE, diya (blood money) for accidental death is generally fixed at AED 200,000, whether the deceased is male or female. It is not normally calculated based on the deceased’s salary or age. In a fatal road accident, the court may order diya where criminal liability for the death is established. The deceased’s family may also be entitled to claim additional compensation for material or moral damages not covered by the diya, depending on the circumstances and evidence. If you would like to discuss the accident and the compensation that may be claimed in your specific case, you can message me on WhatsApp at +971 56 657 9355 – Engy Soliman.
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