Welcome to Quaestio Assessors - Forensic Investigators
Injured In A Motor Vehicle Accident ( MVA ) ?
As Forensic Assessors, Quaestio has drafted this document to inform victims of a motor vehicle accident what their rights are, what to do after a motor vehicle accident and how to claim compensation from the R.A.F (Road Accident Fund) or any other Insurance Company / Third Party or Person covered for Personal Liability Insurance.
The Facts
Road Traffic Accidents are generally thought of as incidents that happened to other people. However, statistics show that in South Africa, accidents occur daily and you can be the next innocent victim of negligent or reckless driving. Although we are Cape Town based, we can assist innocent victims of motor vehicle accidents or any act of negligence against a third person, on a national basis. By dealing with your RAF claim, we specialize in forensic assessments, accident reconstruction, merit investigations as well as quantification of damages. We also act as tracing agents.
How do I claim Compensation ?
Your rights are prescribed by the Road Accident Fund Act as well as by our Common Law. QUAESTIO FORENSIC ASSESSORS can assist you with the preparation of your MVA claim in a situation of a motor vehicle accident.
You can claim compensation if:
- You are the driver of a vehicle and the accident was not caused by your own negligence
- If you are a passenger travelling in a motor vehicle. Two or more vehicles must be involved in the accident. Only 1% negligence against the other driver must be proven for your claim to settled successfully. Single vehicle accidents are excluded from third party claims. You can however claim against the other driver or a third person if he is covered by a personal liability insurance clause, underwritten by an insurance company eg. Santam, Mutual & Federal, Outsurance etc.
- If you are a pedestrian run down by a motor vehicle. Your actions prior the accident will be of importance to prove negligence against the driver of the vehicle in your personal injury claim.
- You must attend to a Hospital or a Private Doctor immediately after the accident has occurred to receive medical treatment. We will obtain a medical report quantifying the injuries.
- The case must be reported at the SAPS or a Traffic officer, a.s.a.p after the accident.
- "Hit and Run" accidents must be reported within 14 days after discharge from hospital.
- a Case docket must also be registered for proper investigation. An OAR report with a commissioned statement must be filed with Police.
- In any serious motor vehicle accident, where the injuries are severe or people killed, a case docket will be registered by Police for proper investigation. The Post Mortem Reports forms part of this investigation.
- This will also be of importance in your MVA claim application against the Road Accident Fund (RAF)
- QUAESTIO FORENSIC ASSESSORS, will conduct a merit investigation into the cause of the accident to determine who was at fault.
- We will also apply for the medical records and clinical notes from the hospital or medical doctor where you received treatment to assist us with the quantification (to proof the value) of a certain injury or injuries.
- We also need to liaise with your employer to proof loss of income.
- Future loss of income are normally the important part of a third party claim when suffered from serious injuries.