Christopher Moubarak sues over car crash en route to wedding
After being injured in a car crash on the way to fulfil his best man duties at a friend’s nuptials, physiotherapist Christopher Moubarak swapped his wedding suit for a law suit. But it didn’t go the way he had hoped. FIND OUT WHY.
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They are called the “best man” for a reason. So when Christopher Moubarak was injured in a multiple vehicle crash on the way to his friend’s wedding he wasn’t about to let it stop him giving his speech.
Mr Moubarak was in the front seat of a white 1951 Jaguar, rented especially for the occasion, when its brakes failed on Parramatta Rd at Petersham, in Sydney’s inner west.
The vintage car ploughed into the back of a stationary Honda Civic, causing a six-car pileup.
But as a judge later remarked, what the car “possessed in style” it “lacked in modern functionality” — the classic Jag had neither seat belts nor airbags.
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So Mr Moubarak braced himself for impact by covering his head and turning his legs to the side, which did little to prevent him being smashed into the dashboard — not once, but twice.
Mr Moubarak kicked the jammed door open and staggered onto the street, where paramedics patched up lacerations on his head and knee.
Despite his injuries, Mr Moubarak did not let the bride and groom down. He attended the wedding, gave his speech and hit the dance floor.
The next day, he went to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and was treated for his injuries.
The second act to the August, 2014, wedding played out in the Sydney District Court this week.
Mr Moubarak sued the owner of the Jaguar, Gia My Le, and the driver, Brian George English.
The physiotherapist, based in Marrickville, sued for out-of-pocket expenses, past economic loss and future expenses, making a total claim of $64,000.
Mr Le contested the extent of Mr Moubarak’s ongoing injuries and need for care.
Lawyers for Mr Le and Mr English tendered video from Mr Moubarak’s Instagram page showing him engaged in “Ninja Warrior”-style training regimes, including climbing a wall using pegs.
The lawyers told the court the recordings were “inconsistent” with Mr Moubarak’s “evidence of an inability to undertake common domestic chores”.
Judge Alister Abadee told the court that some of Mr Moubarak’s evidence was unreliable and that he was selective in what he told medical experts. But he said it was likely Mr Moubarak put up with the pain of his unjuries to film the videos to help promote his fledgling physiotherapy practice.
After finding Mr Moubarak was entitled to be compensated for past medical expenses and limited future treatment, Mr Abadee awarded him $6640. He also ordered Mr Le and Mr English pay Mr Moubarak’s legal costs.
Originally published as Christopher Moubarak sues over car crash en route to wedding
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