How to check a Road Accident Fund claim status in 2024: A simple guide
Road accidents are an unfortunate part of life. If you are so unlucky as to be involved in one, the South African government provides the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to help financially cover any associated costs. An RAF status check will let you know whether you qualify and when you can expect your payout. How do you check an RAF claim status? This article details how to check a Road Accident Fund claim status and other interesting information.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The National Government of South Africa's official website mentions that the RAF has two types of cover: personal insurance for accident victims or their families and indemnity cover for wrongdoers.
RAF claims provide South African citizens eligible for RAF coverage with much-needed rehabilitation and compensation following injury through motor vehicles in a timely, considerate manner while promoting safety on South African roads, from beginner drivers to more seasoned ones.
The RAF claims process is relatively easy, with just a few steps to log a claim. However, how do you know whether your claim has been accepted? Here is how to check whether your claim has been accepted and other details regarding the process.
How to check a Road Accident Fund claim
There are various ways to check the status of your claim. Legal Advice mentions the following ways to see where your claim stands:
- Contact the RAF directly to check the status of your claim through their helpline or relevant email addresses.
- You can check your RAF claim status online by visiting the RAF website and navigating to the claim status checking facility.
- Visit your local RAF office to make an in-person enquiry about the claim. This is advised if you struggle to check in other forms or are not technologically inclined.
How do you get your money from the Road Accident Fund?
The official Road Accident Fund website mentions the following steps in obtaining your payout from the national institution:
- Gather all the relevant documentation regarding the incident, including documents such as a statutory medical report and copies of all applicable hospital and medical records.
- Fill in all the necessary information on a prescribed statutory claim form on the organisation's website.
- Once all relevant information has been entered, submit the form and all the associated documents in hard copy or faxed format. Emailed documents are not accepted.
- Please double-check that you have provided the correct documentation and information and contact the organisation's customer care line to confirm that everything is in order.
Source: UGC
How much do you get from the Road Accident Fund?
Now that you know how to check the status of your claim, how much does the RAF pay for injuries? The payout depends on the injury sustained, with various factors including the location and severity of the injury, how much it directly impacts your income, and how it impacts your overall quality of life. Claims are usually well over R100,000.00 but vary.
Who qualifies for an RAF claim?
According to DSC Attorneys, Road Accident Fund claims can be made in the following instances:
- Individuals who were injured in an accident and were not the driver solely responsible. You can apply the RAF 4 form (serious assessment injury) to see if you qualify and an RAF 3 form (accident report) to apply for the claim.
- Individuals who are the driver responsible for the accident but do not own the vehicle, and the accident was due to the vehicle owner's negligence (for example, failing brakes from worn-out brake pads.) An RAF 1 form (third-party claims) must be filled out.
- Individuals that are spouses, children, or anyone dependent on the income of the individual killed in an accident.
- The individual is a close relative of the deceased and paid for their funeral.
- .In addition to the above, you must also fill out the RAF 2 form (supplier claim form). Each injured or deceased person must complete and log a separate form.
How much does the RAF pay for a broken leg?
Various facts determine the payout value. RAF Cash mentions the factors the courts consider when dealing with leg injuries, which include the severity of the injury and its nature, the medical and rehabilitation costs, the impact the injury has on the individual's ability to work and earn an income, pain experienced, and quality of life.
Regarding payout fees relating to a broken leg, the following table is a summary of common leg injuries and the associated payouts:
| Injury | General damages | Loss of income |
| Fractured tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) | R850,000.00 | R2,599,735.00 |
| Fractured femur (thigh bone) | R240,000.00 | R- (N/A) |
| Crush injuries to the lower leg | R750,000.00 | R731,787.00 |
How long does an RAF claim take?
According to Taurus Captial, the RAF claims process can be lengthy. The process can take an average of four years or more to complete. Furthermore, receiving the payout may take another six to 12 months after settling your case. It may take three years or less, but that is a rarity.
Source: Getty Images
Can you claim RAF after 20 years?
There is a limit to when you can claim RAF in South Africa. Burnett Attorneys & Notaries state the limit as being three years if the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident is known to you and two years for hit-and-runs where the driver is unknown.
Contact details
If you have any further queries regarding the process or need additional assistance, call the RAF toll-free number 087 820 1111. You can also use the RAF WhatsApp number, 071 605 4707, to reach out to someone free of charge by text or SMS through 44930.
You can also email the national institution's customer care centre via complaints@raf.co.za. If you have any PAIA requests or questions regarding the process, you can email PAIAunit@raf.co.za.
Knowing how to check a Road Accident Fund claim status will help you stay on top of your claims process without being left in the dark regarding when you can expect your payout. You can also contact the organisation directly if you have any further queries, and a customer care consultant will happily assist you.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
READ ALSO: Which stores accept PayJustNow? A comprehensive list of participating retailers
PayJustNow is a payment option that allows you to buy and pay off your items in instalments. Briefly.co.za provides helpful information regarding how the financial institution works.
Which stores accept PayJustNow? Read on for a comprehensive list of participating retailers.
Source: Briefly News
Favour Adeaga (Lifestyle writer) Dr. Favour Adeaga is an author, speaker, and coach. He graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria. He did his internship at The Nation Newspaper and taught diploma students in Newspaper and Magazine courses at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. He has curated the facts and life hacks category since 2018. Dr Favour is the author of several books available on Amazon. He currently lives in Nigeria. Email: favouradeaga@gmail.com
Justine De Lange (Lifestyle writer) Justine De Lange has over 6 years of experience in lifestyle, corporate and freelance writing. She started at Now Media for their lifestyle publication 'Let's Go', then joined 'travSIM' and 'Metavaro'. She now writes for Briefly News as a content writer, working with beats such as studies, services, business tips, and celebrity biographies (joined in 2022). In 2023, Justine finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can contact her directly via JustinedeLange14@gmail.com.
