Davidson Attorneys

WHAT CAN I CLAIM FROM THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND?

If you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was not entirely your fault, or lost a loved one in such an accident, you may be able to claim from the Road Accident Fund. But, what can you claim for?

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is a state-supported insurance fund, funded by a fuel levy, which pays compensation to individuals who have been injured in vehicle accidents. The fund also makes provision for dependents who have lost a spouse/ breadwinner following a vehicle accident.

Accidents happen. Choose Davidson Attorneys to help you in making a claim from the RAF.

Are you facing such a situation and wondering what you can claim for? If one or more of the following statements applies to you, you may be able to claim from the fund:

  • Medical Expenses: I have sustained an injury from an accident which was not entirely my fault. I am certain that this injury was caused directly by the accident, and can prove that I was not injured in this way before the accident.
  • Loss of Income: I have lost income as a result of my injuries following an accident
  • Pain and Suffering: I have sustained a serious injury in an accident or an injury with long term effects, and have experienced pain and suffering as a result (the severity of your injury will be assessed according to pre-defined criteria)
  • Loss of Support: I have lost a family member upon whom I was dependent for financial support, normally a parent/spouse and in exceptional circumstances other family members
  • Funeral Expenses: I lost a loved one in a vehicle accident and had to pay for their funeral/ cremation.

WHAT YOU CANNOT CLAIM FOR FROM THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND:

Damages to personal property/ vehicles: You cannot claim from the RAF for damage to your vehicle, or any other personal property damaged in an accident. The RAF is, primarily, a fund to compensate those who have suffered a personal injury, or loss of income/ financial support as a result of a road accident.

You also cannot claim from the RAF if the accident was solely your fault – meaning that you were the driver and owner of the vehicle which was entirely at fault for the accident.

HOW MUCH CAN I CLAIM FROM THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND?

The exact value that you can claim from the RAF is dependent on a number of factors. One of the key determining factors in valuating your claim is the severity of the injury that you sustained, or the value of the financial loss you have suffered due to the accident precluding you from earning your regular income.

Many other factors can come into play, however, a few of them being:

  • Your age: If you have sustained a debilitating injury that will prevent you from earning your usual level of income, your age may affect your potential future losses. In this way, those who are younger can often claim more than those who are nearing the age of retirement.
  • Other sources of compensation: If you received an insurance payout after the accident, this could affect the size of your claim.

Of course, there are innumerable other factors which could influence the size of your potential settlement. The success of Road Accident Fund claims is often dependent upon myriad factors, and the claims process can be daunting and confusing.

If you have been a victim of a road accident, the process can seem impossible. This makes it all the more vital to have a strong attorney on your side, who is well-versed in the claims process.