How to Claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF)

If you were hurt in a car, taxi, bus, or any motor vehicle accident on a South African road, you may be entitled to compensation from the Road Accident Fund - even if you were not the driver, even if it was a hit and run, and even if the other driver had no insurance.

The RAF is a government fund, not a private insurance company. It is funded by a levy on every litre of fuel sold in South Africa, which is why it covers everyone regardless of their own insurance status. South Africa has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world. The RAF was created specifically because ordinary people cannot absorb the financial cost of a serious accident.

This guide explains how to file a claim yourself. You do not need a lawyer for a straightforward claim.

What the RAF covers

Past and future medical costs. Every documented medical expense arising from the accident: hospital stays, surgery, physiotherapy, medication, and future treatment costs supported by a specialist's prognosis.

Loss of income. If your injuries stopped you from working, the RAF compensates for past income lost and for future earning capacity permanently reduced. You need payslips, tax returns, or other proof of what you earned.

General damages. Pain and suffering, permanent disability, and loss of quality of life. These are only payable for serious injuries - assessed using the RAF's Serious Injury Assessment process. They are not available for minor or whiplash-only claims.

Loss of support. If someone who financially supported you was killed in the accident, you can claim for the financial support you have lost.

Step-by-step: claiming directly

Step 1: Report to the police

Do this within 24 hours of the accident. A police report with a case number is mandatory for any RAF claim. If you were hospitalised, report as soon as you are able - but do not delay once you can.

Step 2: Document everything from day one

Every medical record strengthens an RAF claim. Keep:

• Emergency room discharge summary
• Doctor's letters and specialist reports
• Hospital and pharmacy bills
• Physiotherapy invoices
• Medical certificates describing the nature of your injury

If your injuries affected your ability to work, ask your employer for written confirmation of the days missed and the income lost.

Step 3: Get the claim forms

Download them from raf.co.za or collect from any RAF regional office. You will need the accident report form and the medical report form. Your treating doctor or specialist completes the medical report. Some RAF offices have a case officer who can help you complete the forms correctly - use this if available.

Step 4: Submit your claim

You can submit in person at any RAF regional office or via the online portal at claim.raf.co.za. Submit everything together: the completed forms, your police report, all medical records and bills, your ID, and proof of earnings if claiming for income loss.

Keep copies of everything. Get a stamped receipt and your claim reference number.

Step 5: Wait for the RAF to respond

The RAF is legally required to make a decision within 120 days of receiving a complete claim. In practice, complex claims take longer. The RAF will contact you if additional information is needed.

If the RAF makes an offer, you can accept it or negotiate. If they reject the claim or the offer is inadequate, you can take the matter to court with or without an attorney.

Should you use a lawyer?

For straightforward claims - clear-fault accident, documented injuries, no long-term disability - you can often handle the process yourself and keep 100% of the settlement.

Consider using a lawyer when:

• You have a serious or permanent disability
• Your loss of income or future earning capacity is significant
• The RAF disputes fault or the severity of your injuries
• You are unsure whether your injuries qualify as "serious" under the RAF's assessment framework

Attorneys for RAF claims work on a contingency basis - no upfront cost, but they take a portion of the final settlement. This is regulated by law. Get the fee arrangement in writing.

If you cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid South Africa provides free legal assistance. Call 0800 110 110.

The hit-and-run exception

If the other driver fled the scene, the RAF still covers you - but the rules are slightly different:

• Report the accident to the police within 24 hours
• Submit your RAF claim within two years of the accident (not the usual three)
• Provide as much detail as possible about the vehicle

RAF contact details

The RAF has regional offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London. Check raf.co.za for the nearest office.

RAF Toll-Free: 0860 23 55 23