Road Accident Fund claims depend on clear, objective medical evidence. We coordinate the independent assessments and expert reports that establish the nature and extent of a claimant's injuries, how those injuries affect their life and work, and the damages that follow.
Our multidisciplinary team works with attorneys who specialise in RAF matters, and with claimants referred to us for assessment, from the first appointment through to the final, quality-assured report.
What we provide
- 01
RAF 4 Serious Injury Assessment Reports
Serious injury assessments, with RAF 4 reports completed and certified by the appropriate medical practitioner.
- 02
RAF 1 medical assessments
Medical assessments supporting the RAF 1 claim and the serious injury enquiry.
- 03
Narrative Test assessments
Comprehensive evaluations for injuries that fall outside the prescribed non-serious injury categories, focused on long-term impact.
- 04
Supporting expert reports
Reports from industrial psychologists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and radiographers, as the matter requires.
Who can institute an RAF claim
Injured persons
Individuals who suffer serious bodily injuries in a motor vehicle accident may claim for the damages they have sustained.
Dependants
Where a breadwinner dies as a result of an accident, dependants who relied on them financially may claim for loss of support.
Parents and guardians
Where a minor is injured and needs treatment, a parent or legal guardian may claim on the child's behalf for medical expenses and related costs.
Direct damages and general damages
RAF claims generally involve two categories of damages. Direct damages, such as medical expenses and loss of income, are usually easier to quantify and settle. General damages (non-pecuniary loss) cover pain and suffering, loss of amenities of life, disfigurement and emotional trauma, and are more often disputed.
Whether a claimant qualifies for general damages depends on the seriousness of the injury, which is why well-reasoned medical evidence matters so much at this stage.
The RAF Narrative Test
Where an injury does not fall within the prescribed non-serious injury categories, and its severity and long-term impact need to be evaluated, a Narrative Test assessment may be required.
The assessment considers how the injury affects the claimant's daily functioning, quality of life, employment prospects and overall wellbeing. It provides critical evidence in support of a claim for general damages.
Who this service is for
- Attorneys handling Road Accident Fund matters
- Claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents
- Dependants claiming for loss of support
- Parents and guardians claiming for an injured minor
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim from the Road Accident Fund?
People who suffer serious bodily injuries in a motor vehicle accident may claim for the damages they have sustained. Where a breadwinner dies as a result of an accident, dependants who relied on them financially may claim for loss of support. A parent or legal guardian may claim on behalf of an injured minor for medical expenses and related costs. All claims are subject to the applicable legal provisions.
What is the RAF Narrative Test?
It is a comprehensive assessment used when an injury does not fall within the prescribed non-serious injury categories. It looks at how the injury affects daily functioning, quality of life, employment prospects and wellbeing, and supports a claim for general damages.
What is the difference between direct and general damages?
Direct damages include quantifiable losses such as medical expenses and loss of income. General damages relate to pain and suffering, loss of amenities of life, disfigurement and emotional trauma.