With Covid-19 affecting the best way we select to journey, extra individuals will go for driving to their trip locations somewhat than flying, which can see a rise of automobiles on the roads and in flip might lead to extra accidents occurring.
That is in keeping with DSC Attorneys associate Kirstie Haslam, who stated that in the course of the 2019/2020 festive season there have been 1,390 automotive accidents recorded and 1,617 fatalities.
Of the two,915 arrests, a complete of 1,397 drivers have been arrested for driving below the affect, representing 48% of the whole.
This might rise with extra automobiles on the street and extra drunk drivers endangering lives whereas there are not any breathalysers in motion due to Covid-19.
“The settlement of claims arising from a automotive accident will depend on the extent to which every driver is discovered to be at fault for inflicting the accident,” she stated.
Haslam stated {that a} driver who’s discovered to be completely negligent could also be held totally accountable for the so-called materials damages ensuing from an accident – these damages are distinct from these arising because of bodily harm, that are recoverable solely from the Highway Accident Fund.
“Alternatively, every driver concerned could also be held partially liable. For instance, you might be held 30% liable, whereas the opposite driver is held 70% liable.”
Haslam stated that figuring out what to do after an accident is necessary, particularly in case you are concerned in an accident and want to declare compensation for private harm or harm to your automobile.
Right here is Haslam’s guidelines of what to do, that she says is beneficial to print out or retailer in your cellphone, after which use as a information when you’re in an accident.
What to do instantly after an accident
Cease your automobile safely – In case you’re concerned in an accident that causes harm or the dying of an individual or animal, or that causes harm to another person’s property, you’re required by legislation to cease your automobile. Ensure you decelerate and cease safely, out of the best way of visitors.
Verify the character and extent of any harm sustained or harm induced – If somebody has been critically injured, contact emergency providers and the police.
Don’t transfer your automobile except it’s a security hazard to different street customers – In case your automobile is obstructing visitors, it might be moved sufficiently to permit automobiles to go. Nonetheless, you might transfer the automobile solely when you’ve marked the automobile’s authentic place with chalk, spray paint or different clear markings.
Keep on the scene of the accident – It’s a legal offence to depart the scene of an accident by which somebody is injured except you your self have to go for assist. In any other case you’re required to stay on the scene till a police officer tells you that you could be go away.
Get the small print of the opposite drivers and automobiles concerned within the accident – You’ll want these particulars to assert from insurance coverage or the RAF. Report the opposite drivers’ names, identification numbers, phone numbers, automobile registration numbers and every other related info. If a driver was driving a automobile on behalf of an employer, document the small print of the employer as effectively.
Get contact particulars of any witnesses on the scene – Once more, you might want witness testimonies to assist your declare, so write down the names and cellphone numbers of all potential witnesses to the accident.
Report the small print of the accident and, if doable, take images – Take images and draw sketches of the scene of the accident. Observe the climate and street situations when the accident occurred. If doable, {photograph} the scene and surrounding space from all angles, in addition to any accidents you’ve sustained. Additionally word the small print of any harm to property.
In case your automobile must be towed, contact your insurance coverage firm earlier than agreeing to let an organization tow the automobile – In case your automotive is insured, examine together with your insurance coverage firm earlier than agreeing to let anybody tow the automobile. Additionally, by no means signal any clean kinds that the towing firm supplies. Unscrupulous tow firms might make the most of you on this state of affairs. Be sure you take away all valuables earlier than your automobile is towed.
What to do after leaving the scene of the accident
When you’ve got been injured, seek the advice of a health care provider instantly – Even when your accidents seem pretty minor, it’s a good suggestion to have a health care provider study you. Adrenaline after an accident can masks accidents, and a few points, like swelling, might happen solely over time.
In case you intend to assert compensation to your accidents, it’s necessary that you just seek the advice of a medical practitioner as quickly after the accident as doable. You have to medical stories to assist your declare.
Report the accident to the police – If somebody has been killed or injured within the accident, you have to report it to the police inside 24 hours. If no individual was injured or killed, you have to report the accident on the primary working day following the collision.
Report the title of the police officer who filed your report, and hold a word of the accident report’s reference quantity – You’ll want these particulars when claiming out of your insurer, the opposite driver’s insurance coverage firm, or the RAF.
Preserve potential proof, in addition to medical information and receipts – In case you plan to assert damages, don’t discard torn or blood-stained clothes, or any of your notes relating to the accident. Additionally make sure you hold copies of medical information and any receipts for medical therapy.
Contact your insurance coverage supplier – In case you plan to assert for harm to your automobile, or when you anticipate that the opposite driver/s will wish to declare out of your insurance coverage, contact your insurance coverage supplier as quickly after the accident as doable and supply particulars of the accident.
RAF Claims
Anybody critically injured in an accident on South Africa’s roads – together with drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, can declare compensation from the RAF.
Victims of street accidents can declare for medical bills, lack of earnings and, in instances involving severe harm, common damages for ache and struggling. If a breadwinner in your loved ones is killed in a street accident, you possibly can declare for lack of assist and funeral prices, the authorized agency stated.
Learn: Volkswagen reveals R1 million bakkie
