Motorist wins 80000 dirhams from Moroccan State road accident

The accident dates back to January 1, 2024. While driving on coastal national road number 16 connecting Tangier to Saïdia, a driver saw his car plunge into a gaping hole more than four meters deep at the level of the municipality of Bouarg, in Nador province. The impact caused irreversible damage, affecting the engine, chassis, doors, roof and airbags.

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Considering repairs economically unfeasible, an expert assessment valued the total material loss at 86,000 dirhams. Confirming the initial verdict handed down by the Oujda court, the court of appeal capped compensation at 80,000 dirhams, aligning strictly with the amount originally claimed by the victim.

To escape this ruling, the road administration had attempted to shift blame to alleged driver negligence, claiming the obstacle was surrounded by barriers and earth. The ministry even contested the validity of the technical report on the grounds that it was written in French.

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These arguments were firmly dismissed by the judges. Direct findings by the judicial police proved the absence of adequate lighting and the glaring insufficiency of warning signs around the hazard. The court ultimately ruled that authorities had not taken the necessary precautions to secure the area, making the State fully responsible for the damages suffered.