If you were hurt in a South African road crash, or you are an eligible dependant, you can lodge a road accident fund claim. Complete the prescribed RAF form, attach certified ID and your medical and accident documents, and deliver the original by hand or registered post to an RAF office promptly, and check the applicable deadline. An incomplete form is the quickest way to lose months.
TL;DR:
For crashes after July 31, 2008, use RAF 1; complete every field, and have the treating doctor finish the medical report before filing.
Submit the original form and supporting documents by hand or registered post, then obtain a stamped receipt and keep copies of every page.
Deadlines vary for hit and run or unidentified driver cases; the Fund may object within 60 days, and legal proceedings cannot start for 120 days.
Serious injury claims often need medical and actuarial reports to value future losses; RAF information officers can help with forms if legal representation is unaffordable.
Table of Contents
Who can claim from the RAF?
Eligibility comes down to which category you fall into. Most claimants fit one of these:
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An injured person, unless the injured person was the driver solely at fault.
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Dependants of a deceased breadwinner, who claim for loss of support.
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A close relative who paid the funeral costs.
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A parent, guardian or curator acting for a minor or an incapacitated person.
For children and for people who cannot manage their own affairs, the claim is lodged by the parent or guardian, or by a curator appointed by the court. If you are unsure who should sign, settle that before you file, because a claim lodged by the wrong person creates delay.
Hit-and-run crashes and cases with an unidentified driver may have different deadlines, so check the applicable requirements promptly. The key point for now: none of these categories removes the need for the prescribed form, so the next step is knowing which one you need.
Which RAF forms and documents do you need?
The RAF requires claims to be lodged on the prescribed statutory form. For accidents after 31 July 2008 that is RAF 1, which includes a medical report and sections for accident and claimant details. Other forms play supporting roles: RAF 2 for supplier claims, RAF 3 for the accident report, and RAF 4 for serious injury assessment.
Typical supporting documents include:
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Certified copies of your ID.
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A death certificate, where the claim follows a fatality.
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Hospital and medical reports completed by the treating practitioner.
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The official accident docket.
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Salary slips, if you claim for loss of earnings.
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Fully specified tax invoices for medical or supplier costs.
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Unabridged birth certificates for minors.
The rules are strict. The form must be completed in full particulars, and a form that is not will not be accepted. Originals are required, and you should not submit by e-mail.
Pro Tip: Write “not applicable” in every box that does not apply to you, and have the treating doctor complete the medical section before you submit.
How do you lodge a claim, step by step?
Follow these steps in order, and keep a copy of everything.
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Gather every document listed above, get certified copies where required, and collect the hospital records and the official accident report.
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Complete the correct RAF form in full, check that every signature is in place, and make sure the treating practitioner has completed the medical report sections.
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Submit the original claim and supporting documents by hand at an RAF regional office or by registered post. The Road Accident Fund Act provides for delivery by hand or registered post to RAF offices or agents. Ask for a written acknowledgement or a stamped receipt.
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Track the claim with your RAF reference or link number, answer any request for more information quickly, and file the stamped copies somewhere safe.
Pro Tip: Photograph every page of the stamped submission before you leave the office, so you hold proof of exactly what was handed over and when.
How long do you have to claim?
Time limits are where good claims go to die. The applicable deadline depends on the circumstances, so check the official requirements and lodge promptly rather than waiting to see how recovery goes.
Other timing rules to know:
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The Act deems a claim valid if the Fund or its agent does not object within 60 days of delivery.
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The Act also contains a 120-day rule before legal proceedings can start, so summons timing matters as well as lodging.
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Other procedural requirements may apply, so check the official rules and lodge early.
Missing an applicable deadline can affect your ability to pursue a claim, so check the official requirements and get legal advice promptly. The safe course is to lodge as soon as your documents are ready and diarise the summons dates the moment you file.
What happens after you lodge?
The RAF targets settlement within 120 days, but in practice backlogs persist and many claims wait longer. Most disputed matters settle out of court rather than at trial.
The biggest cause of delay sits with the claimant’s paperwork:
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Incomplete submissions: claims missing evidence take longer to investigate.
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Payment timing: a finalised offer can still wait for available funds.
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Compensation categories: funeral costs, loss of earnings, general damages and medical expenses.
Claims for loss of income or loss of support are capped at R372,824.00, effective 30 April 2025. That ceiling applies whatever your actual earnings were, so it shapes what a realistic claim looks like.
To follow up, quote your reference number, keep your stamped copies close, and escalate through the regional office contacts if the claim stalls.
Do you need a lawyer for your RAF claim?
You can lodge directly, and many people do. Serious injuries are different. Quantifying future loss usually needs medico-legal and actuarial reports, and undervaluation or a procedural slip can be costly.
If you appoint an attorney:
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Make sure any contingency fee agreement complies with the Contingency Fees Act.
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Keep copies of the mandate and the fee agreement.
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Expect the attorney to gather medico-legal and actuarial evidence and take court steps where needed.
If you cannot afford representation, there is a middle route: RAF information officers can help with forms and early questions. When choosing paid help, our guide on choosing the right credit legal provider shows what to ask any legal service.
Pro Tip: Ask any attorney for the fee agreement in writing before you sign anything, and read how costs are deducted from the payout.
What would we do first if we were claiming?
Three things protect a claim better than anything else. Complete the correct form in full, collect certified IDs and final medical records, then hand-deliver or post the original and keep the stamped receipt. Documentation quality decides how fast you are paid, and it is the part you control completely. If money is tight, speak to an RAF information officer early rather than filing something half-finished.
— Maria
FAQ
How long does it take for RAF to pay a claim?
The RAF aims to settle within 120 days, but backlogs often stretch this. Even a finalised offer can wait for available funds, so keep following up with your reference number.
Who qualifies to claim from the Road Accident Fund?
Injured persons (except a driver solely at fault), dependants of a deceased breadwinner, and relatives who paid funeral costs can claim. Parents, guardians or curators act for minors and incapacitated people.
How much does the Road Accident Fund pay out?
It depends on the injury and the evidence. Loss of income and loss of support claims are capped at R372,824.00, effective 30 April 2025.
Why do so many RAF claims get delayed?
The RAF reports that roughly 80% of initial claims lack sufficient information or documentation. A complete RAF form with supporting documents is the best way to avoid that.
Sources
Where can you find the official RAF forms and legal wording?
Download the current RAF 1 and its companion documents from the RAF website, where you will also find regional office details. The instructions inside the RAF 1 form list the standard documents, and the Board Notice and the Act’s procedure section carry the exact legal wording.