WHAT IS THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND?

The Road Accident Fund is a statutory body established by law to administer the system of compensation for damages suffered due to bodily injury or death caused by the negligent driver of a motor vehicle. Think of it as the insurance company for the driver at fault.

WHAT IS A ROAD ACCIDENT FUND CLAIM?

A Road Accident Fund claim, also known as a third-party claim, is a claim which can be instituted to recover compensation for any person who has caused bodily injury to themselves, or bodily injury to someone else or caused the death of another as a result of a motor vehicle collision. Parties who can claim are:

1. A party who sustains bodily injuries in a Motor Vehicle Accident.
2. When the breadwinner of a family is killed, then the surviving spouse and the children are the ones who suffer damage because they lose the financial support of the breadwinner.
3. Where a minor is injured in a motor vehicle accident and has to receive medical treatment, the parent/s would be the claimant in respect of the medical costs The parent/s is responsible for paying such costs and therefore has suffered damages and the minor would be the claimant in respect of the bodily injuries, he/she has sustained.

HOW IS THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND FINANCED?

The primary source of income for the RAF compensation scheme is a levy raised on fuel sold. The levy is measured in terms of cents per liter on petrol and diesel fuel sold in South Africa and forms part of the general fuel tax regulated by the government and channeled to the RAF monthly. This levy is not designed to specifically finance the operations and liability of the RAF.