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My Relative Was Killed in a Road Accident

“My relative was killed in a road accident”

A death in a road accident opens both a police and prosecution process to establish what happened and whether an offence was committed, alongside separate matters affecting the family, including the estate.

We're sorry for your loss. What follows is a plain description of what typically happens after a fatal road accident in the UAE, written for a family trying to understand what's ahead. It isn't a substitute for speaking with a lawyer, and it won't tell you what to expect emotionally — only what the process involves.

LAST REVIEWED 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

WHERE THIS IS HANDLED

Police, then the Public Prosecution, then, if the matter proceeds, the criminal court; separate estate and, where relevant, civil matters are handled through other processes.

How the answer changes by jurisdiction

  • Dubai mainland

    Dubai Police attend the scene and investigate. The case is then assessed by Dubai's Public Prosecution, and any resulting matter is heard by Dubai Courts.

  • DIFC

    DIFC has no police force or criminal court. An accident connected to DIFC is handled by Dubai Police and, if relevant, Dubai's Public Prosecution and courts.

  • Abu Dhabi mainland

    Abu Dhabi Police attend the scene and investigate. The case is then assessed by Abu Dhabi's Public Prosecution, and any resulting matter is heard by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department's courts.

  • ADGM

    ADGM has no police force or criminal jurisdiction. An accident connected to ADGM is handled by Abu Dhabi Police and, if relevant, Abu Dhabi's Public Prosecution and courts.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT

STEP 01

What happens at the scene

Police attend the accident, and an official report is opened. This report becomes a central document for everything that follows, including any later legal process.

The body is generally taken through an official process, which can include a forensic examination, before release to the family. This step is procedural and required, even though the wait can be very hard.

STEP 02

Getting the death certificate and official documents

A death certificate is needed for almost everything that follows — from funeral and repatriation arrangements to the estate process. Ask the hospital, police or relevant authority what's needed to obtain it, or ask a lawyer to help coordinate this.

STEP 03

Understanding the investigation

Police and the Public Prosecution assess what happened, including questions of fault. This may or may not result in a criminal case against another driver, depending on what the investigation finds. A lawyer can help the family understand the findings and what, if anything, comes next.

STEP 04

The family's role

Families are often able to review certain findings and, in some cases, be represented during the process. A lawyer can attend on your behalf, so you don't have to navigate this directly while you're grieving.

STEP 05

If the body needs to be repatriated

Returning a relative's body to another country involves its own separate documentation and steps, alongside the accident investigation. This can usually run in parallel, and a lawyer or the family's embassy can help coordinate it.

STEP 06

The estate, once things settle

Separately from the accident investigation, your relative's estate — their belongings, accounts, and any property — will need to go through the appropriate legal process. This isn't something that needs to be dealt with immediately, but it will need attention. See our page on inheritance for non-Muslims, or speak to a lawyer about what applies in your family's case.

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Tell Us About Your Situation.

The matter type is already set to Wills, Estates & Inheritance, so the form begins with your location. LEXNOVA is a lawyer-matching service, not a law firm — any legal advice comes directly from the independent legal professional you are connected with.

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FAQ

Families are often able to be involved to some degree, such as reviewing findings, though the extent varies by case. A lawyer can explain what's expected and can represent the family where that's possible.

Generally, yes, though the process for requesting it depends on the case. A lawyer can help with this.

There are ways to raise concerns about an investigation's findings. A lawyer can advise on what's realistic in your specific case.

Not always — it depends on what the investigation finds about how the accident happened and whether an offence occurred.

This can complicate matters, but it doesn't automatically end the process. A lawyer can explain what options remain available.

It's reasonable to take a little time. That said, getting advice early can help make sure nothing important is missed while the investigation is ongoing, and a lawyer can also take some of the process off the family's hands.

It involves its own set of documents and steps, generally coordinated with the relevant authorities and often the family's embassy. A lawyer or funeral services provider can help you understand what's needed.

These generally become part of the estate and are handled through the appropriate legal process once things have settled. This doesn't need to be resolved immediately.

There can be a separate legal process connected to a fatal accident, and this is a genuinely case-specific question. We won't discuss figures or likely amounts here — a lawyer can explain what applies to your family's situation, if and when you want to raise it.

This depends on how the case develops. A lawyer can represent the family and explain what, if anything, requires your personal attendance.

Ask for translation or interpretation support — a lawyer can also help make sense of official documents as they come in.

It varies by case, and we won't estimate a timeframe here. A lawyer can give you a realistic sense once they're familiar with the specifics.

This is typically coordinated between the family, the relevant authorities, and, if needed, the family's embassy, separately from the legal investigation.

Keep everything together and don't discard anything — it may be needed both for the accident case and for the separate estate process later.

No — LEXNOVA is not a law firm and doesn't handle cases itself. LEXNOVA Legal Connect can help your family describe what's happened and find a lawyer to support you through it, whenever you're ready.

LEXNOVA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, legal representation, or legal services. Any legal advice or representation is provided directly by the independent legal professional engaged by the client.

A connection or introduction does not constitute a guarantee, endorsement, or assurance of outcome. Users should independently confirm the professional's qualifications, authorization, fees, scope of engagement, and suitability.

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