Cape Town - A draft bill, which will allow accident victims to receive medical treatment for 30 days regardless of whether they are at fault or not has been published for public comment, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) said on Monday.
“Work to legislate a no-fault scheme known as the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) is ongoing, but until its implementation, further amendments to the act are necessary to facilitate effective and efficient delivery of services and continue to improve the liquidity and sustainability of the RAF,” the fund said in a statement.
The fault-based compensation system is set to be replaced with a no-fault system - absolving the affected driver from civil liability - under the intended RABS.
The draft bill proposes various changes to the current system.
“The bill will empower the transport minister to draw up a list of serious injuries sustained from road crashes,” the RAF said.
“This list will enable victims who suffer serious injuries contained in the list to qualify for a lump sum for general damages from the Road Accident Fund, thus greatly reducing the cost, time and inconvenience associated with certain claimants having to be formally assessed for these injuries.”
The bill also makes provision for the payment of funeral expenses on a no-fault basis but subject to an overall cap.
This means that relatives of accident victims will no longer be excluded from accessing this benefit on the basis of fault.
Sapa