Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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An article on IOL News caught my interest recently when it indicated that a man, who approached the Road Accident Fund directly have now eventually obtained the help of attorneys. He did the claim directly with the Road Accident Fund, after hearing that one could approach them directly and they settled the case for R38 000,00. After the accident he suffered head and leg injuries and was in hospital for weeks, he was not able to work and he is still without a job.
He was quoted in the newspaper saying that he genuinely believed that the RAF would have his best interests at heart, as this was part of its mandate. The Road Accident Fund not only under-settled this case but they then tried to claim that the summons had been issued too late in his matter! This is the problem with doing a claim directly with the people you want to pay you out at the end. The Court awarded R1,5 million in compensation. You can read the article http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/man-finally-gets-r1-5m-from-road-fund-1.1638299 and you can always get more information about Road Accident Fund claims on our website www.accidentclaim.co.za.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 13-Feb-14
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Comments
Thabitha said:
on Friday 14-Feb-14 04:23 PM
People must know that RAF is just advertising to stop people go to attorneys and they don't want to pay lots of money.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 14-Feb-14 03:04 PM
Why on earth would anyone think the RAF would be fair. They have so many cases that no longer go to attorneys, why would they look out for your best interest. You are just a statistic, at a law firm, you are a client - very big difference. R38 000.00 on a head injury is sickening to say the least.
Cornelie said:
on Friday 14-Feb-14 02:45 PM
I have also said a person should go through attorneys we have the expertise and fighting for our clients whereby if you go to the fund you are just a number and I have always wondered where does the millions go when a case was settled for R38 000.00 and it should have been R1 500 000.00 where does the rest go to, into someones pocket.
Catherine said:
on Friday 14-Feb-14 07:04 AM
People should do research in whatever they decide to do in their lives. There is a misconception that by engaging an Attorney to represent one, they will get ripped off by the Attorneys fee. This is the message that the RAF desperately want people to believe. This case goes to prove otherwise.
Lorette said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:30 PM
I think that most of the people think that taking their claim straight to the RAF would be much better! I have heard uneducated people making comments and saying that the attorneys only steal your money!! Well well what a clever comment! In this cases the attorneys are actually the ones caring about you and your future!! Off course the law firm will take money, and it is a fee that you agreed on when choosing your attorneys!
Kaylee said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 07:49 PM
Unfortunately, many people injured in accidents are not well educated and when approach by The Road Accident Fund making false promises as well as quick and easy payments, it is alluring to them to simple accept what ever the Fund offers them. The problem comes in when the Fund has simply offered a sum of money to the injured client without even investigating the claim to the full extent. The simply offer a favourable amount (which is seemingly never close to what the claim is worth) to the client, who is often so desperate for the money that they simply accept. A professional firm dealing with personal injuries is well equipped with the means to determine the actual value of the claim and prepare thoroughly and provide the client with the compensation that he or she deserves. Always a job for the professionals!
Safia said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 05:07 PM
This guy is lucky he could settled twice. I agree with Juliet. People grow into adults by size but keep brains of a child, hoping somebody will help and get them out of trouble,somebody will always be to blame for their misery but not themselves.
Sorea said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 10:55 AM
Like David commented on a previous blog, just because I have seen a documentary on how to do open heart surgery, it does not mean that I am proficient in how to do so. This is the perfect example of why there are firms that specialize in dealing with the Fund and know how to get the best result for clients. Don't get me wrong, there are matters where it will be more beneficial to go directly to the Fund, but you should ideally run it by an attorney to ensure that your matter is, in fact, such a matter.
Refilwe said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 10:44 AM
it's just sad that most people are not aware that they do not have to go directly to the RAF in order to claim, then they only regret later when they've heard about using law firms to claim on their behalf. its actually heart breaking i think.
Zelda said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 10:12 AM
I agree with Juliet.
You can't expect the RAF to have your best interest at heart when they are the ones that have to pay you in the end...
It's like selling a coke to someone, but asking them how much they would like to pay for it and just accepting it like that.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 09:57 AM
If people just do a little bit of research on Road Accident Claims they will certainly know that they need to get an attorney to represent their claim.
Lourien said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 09:50 AM
The reality today is that you can not trust the RAF to defend themselves and still have the peoples best interests at heart, unfortunately it does not work like that.
Joyce said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 09:34 AM
I think the way the RAF handle cases its unfair to the Road Accident Victims those who are called to do their claims directly and promised that their cases would get fair settlements without involving an attorney and at the end the RAF under settle their cases or dispute their claims , I think it is so unfair!
Juliet said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 09:05 AM
Can you really blame the RAF for the actions taken by adults? They simply market their services, just like any service provider does, should you wish to ignore all the media, advises of attorneys, and past experiences of others, and go straight to them, then you must also deal with the consequences of your actions. No one can complain when they take out a cell phone contract and then get a bill they cannot afford at the end of the month because "they did not know". People must stop being lazy, do research, make informed decisions, take decisive steps. Not always trying to act like a victim. SA citizens thrive on the victim syndrome. Blaming their suffering on everything and everyone else except their own choices and actions. SA needs to wake up and drive themselves forward, learning, asking questions, making better decisions. Stop sitting back and demanding people help you. Grow up and help yourself!
Simone said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:51 AM
I completely agree with David. These days it is very hard to trust a government institute regarding money...
Liesl said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:45 AM
There are many, even recent examples of this disdain for the truth and the disdain for ordinary citizens they represent. "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead - Nelson Mandela"
Brenda said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:44 AM
The government loves to paint this pretty picture of deceit in every area. I saw the Road Accident Fund's advert on tv a while ago and they really make it sound like sunshine and roses and they will go the extra mile and do whatever it takes for you to get the compensation you deserve. Lies and deceit to continue to rob you of what is rightfully yours. Government institutes are so corrupt and they feel nothing!! Sad
david said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:20 AM
the RAF really are a bunch of crooks. Advertising to go directly to them, so that they can rob you of what is rightfully yours.
Alexis said:
on Thursday 13-Feb-14 08:18 AM
That is what happens when you go direct i suppose. They will try their hardest not to give you what is owed to you. Their experts are biased and they themselves are biased. Considering the injuries and loss etc, his claim would have been over a million
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
