Carroll v Taylor & Ors [2020] EWHC 153 (QB) (30 January 2020)

Carroll v Taylor & Ors [2020] EWHC 153 (QB) (30 January 2020)

The claimant's injuries did not arise out of the use of the taxi on a road within the meaning of section 145(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 because the journey in the taxi had ended before the injuries occurred, the causal connection was too remote both temporally and geographically, and the use of the taxi was for a criminal purpose not covered by the insurance policy. Therefore, the insurer is not liable.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 153
Parties
Claimant: Neil Carroll (a protected party, suing by his mother and litigation friend, Catherine Carroll); First Defendant: Michael Taylor; Second Defendant: Michael Doyle; Third Defendant: Emms Taxis Limited; Fourth Defendant: QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 January 2020
Procedural Posture
Personal Injury Claim (preliminary Issues) / High Court, Queen's Bench Division, Determination of Preliminary Issues
Outcome
Claim against the Fourth Defendant (QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd) dismissed.
Legal Topics
Motor Insurance Liability, Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 145(3)(a), Direct Right of Action Against Insurer, Causation in Insurance Claims, Permitted Use Under Insurance Policy
Insurance Law Tort Law Personal Injury Motor Insurance Liability Road Traffic Act 1988 Section 145(3)(a) Direct Right of Action Against Insurer Causation in Insurance Claims Permitted Use Under Insurance Policy

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Parties

Neil Carroll (a protected party, suing by his mother and litigation friend, Catherine Carroll)

Claimant

Michael Taylor

First Defendant

Michael Doyle

Second Defendant

Emms Taxis Limited

Third Defendant

QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Personal Injury Claim (preliminary Issues) / High Court, Queen's Bench Division, Determination of Preliminary Issues

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the claimant's injuries arose out of the use of the taxi on a road or public place within the meaning of section 145(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988
  2. 2 Whether the insurance policy issued by QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd responds to the claimant's claims in tort against the First and Second Defendants

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant's injuries did not arise out of the use of the taxi on a road within the meaning of section 145(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 because the journey in the taxi had ended before the injuries occurred, the causal connection was too remote both temporally and geographically, and the use of the taxi was for a criminal purpose not covered by the insurance policy. Therefore, the insurer is not liable.

Court Disposition

Claim against the Fourth Defendant (QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd) dismissed.

Orders

  • Claim against the Fourth Defendant is dismissed.
  • No liability attaches to the insurer under section 145(3)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 or the policy of insurance.