A spate of truck accidents in South Africa has, once again, drawn attention to the dire state of road safety in South Africa, with trucks accounting for more fatalities per crash than any other type of road accident in the country.
This is according to DSC Attorneys Partner, Kirstie Haslam, who says that of all road accidents, truck accidents tend to result in the most fatalities and serious injuries, and the greatest damage to property.
A report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in 2023 found that there were 2,237 fatal truck crashes involving 3,546 trucks over a five-year period. This is an average of at least one per day for five years.
Alarmingly, according to the RTMC, 34.8% of South African truck accidents that resulted in fatalities involved pedestrians. Contributory factors include a lack of pavements and pedestrian bridges on roads, as well as poor road safety awareness.
Alcohol consumption by drivers and pedestrians exacerbates the issue. Poor lighting in areas where there are numerous pedestrians is also a problem. Many crowded settlements are located alongside busy roads that pedestrians walk along or cross. This is particularly dangerous at night.
Other factors contributing to SA’s truck accident statistics
Haslam says that poor road conditions are a major contributing factor to South Africa’s truck accident statistics with many road surfaces in poor condition with dangerous potholes that are made worse by heavy traffic.
“Some trucks are old and poorly maintained or not even roadworthy and overloaded trucks also pose a serious hazard to the occupants and other road users,” she explains.
Due to our failing rail system, South Africa relies heavily on trucks to transport goods resulting in a high number of trucks on roads.
Finally, Haslam highlights poor adherence to safety protocols by truck owners and drivers as a serious issue and that drivers stay behind the wheel for extended periods when overtired to meet deadlines and avoid traffic.
What to do if you or a family member is in a truck accident
If you’re injured in a truck accident, Haslam advises to stay calm and get medical attention as soon as possible.
“If you’re involved in any road accident as a driver, stop your vehicle, assist anyone who’s injured (including calling for emergency assistance) and report the accident to the police,” she says. “You’re legally required to report a road accident immediately if anyone has been injured or killed.”
If the accident has caused damage only to property, you can report it at a local police station within 24 hours.
When reporting a road accident, she says to ensure that you obtain an accident reference number.
If you’re involved in a truck accident in South Africa, try to record specific information immediately. This is so you can provide a full report if required by an insurer or for legal purposes. For example,
Haslam says you should record:
Information about the accident, including what happened, when and where;
contact details and ID numbers of people involved, of the relevant trucking company and of any witnesses;
details of the truck driver’s or truck company’s insurers;
details of the vehicles involved in the accident, including make, model and registration numbers;
the name, staff number and station of a traffic police officer at the accident scene.
If possible, use your cell phone to take photographs of the accident scene, showing the sides of the vehicles, their relative positions and the extent of any damage that has been caused.
She advises to avoid unintentionally admitting liability (for example, by saying “sorry”) or signing any documents you’re handed at the accident scene.
Claiming compensation for a truck accident
Many truck accidents in South Africa result in serious injuries that require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Medical costs for significant injuries can run into the hundreds of thousands of rands or more, adding financial stresses to physical and mental trauma.
If you or a family member is seriously hurt in a truck accident that was the fault of the truck driver or the trucking company, Haslam says that you may have a valid legal claim for compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
“This could mean you’ll be compensated for medical expenses, income lost as a result of your injury and, in cases of serious injury, pain and suffering associated with the accident,” she explains.
“If you think you have a truck accident injury claim in South Africa, the first step is to contact experienced personal injury lawyers,” she concludes.
