Recent Road Accident Fund Payouts

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to face administrative and financial challenges, and claiming from the fund is a time-consuming process. Nonetheless, recent RAF payouts illustrate how valuable successful claims can be.

Payouts from the RAF can make a dramatic difference to the lives of those injured by road accidents, and their families.

Note that for the best chance of securing a RAF payout that’s fair, it’s vital to use the services of a suitably qualified attorney.

In this article, we cover:

• details of claim payouts from the latest RAF annual report
• notable recent RAF payouts
• factors that affect the value of a RAF claim
• RAF settlement offers versus court awards
• RAF claims with DSC Attorneys.

RAF annual report: claim payouts

The Road Accident Fund’s annual report provides an overview of the RAF’s current status, financial statements and feedback on management and governance for the financial year.

The RAF’s 2024/2025 annual report sheds light on recent RAF payouts.

According to the report, the average claim value increased by 21.4% in the 2024/2025 financial year, compared to the previous year. The average settlement value reported was R348,100 per claim.

Total claims received by the RAF increased marginally from the preceding year, to R46.7 billion.

The average values of specific RAF claim types were as follows:

• medical claims: R30,078
• general damages: R583,682
• loss of earnings claims: R1,224,523
• loss of support claims: R666,280
• funeral costs claims: R14,963.

The RAF’s latest annual report indicates ongoing financial pressure.

For the year ending 31 March 2025, the RAF recorded a deficit of R2.32 billion. This is 45.9% higher than the R1.59 billion deficit reported for the 2023/2024 period.

It’s important to note that this marked increase in deficit has led to an estimated R40 billion unfunded claims liability.

Notable recent RAF payouts

These are some of the highest and most notable recent RAF payouts.

R2.1 million and future medical expenses 

In 2025, the courts ordered the RAF to pay the sum of R2,123,052 to a passenger injured in a head-on collision. The RAF further undertook to cover all future medical expenses arising from the plaintiff’s leg and hip injuries. The compensatory award was for loss of future income.

R2.66 million and 100% of future medical costs

In September 2025, a driver and minor child were awarded compensation of R2,663,066 for injuries sustained in a collision. The RAF also agreed to cover 100% of costs relating to the future treatment and care of the child, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries. Compensation included past hospital and medical expenses, general damages and loss of future income.

R3.2 million plus future medical expenses

A woman who suffered facial, brain and other injuries when her car collided with another vehicle, was awarded R1.1 million in general damages. In a subsequent judgment handed down in January 2026, the RAF was ordered to pay all future medical costs and R2,138,935 in respect of loss of earnings.

R6.6 million and future medical costs

A Gauteng woman who suffered serious head injuries in a motor vehicle accident was paid out R5,417,162 in respect of future loss of earnings. The injuries left her unable to walk or talk. During earlier negotiations with her legal team, the RAF settled a general damages claim of R1.2 million and agreed to cover all future medical costs.

R6.99 million

A six-week-old baby was injured when the car she was travelling in went off the road and hit a cement barrier. Her injuries left her with cognitive dysfunction and difficulty communicating. On the advice of her personal injury attorney, the mother successfully pursued a general damages claim of R1.4 million on her child’s behalf. In 2025, a second order was handed down, awarding R5,591,973 in compensation for future loss of earnings.

R7.5 million

In October 2025, a child injured in a road accident was awarded R7,496,450. Compensation was in respect of medical expenses, general damages and future loss of earnings.

R9.6 million and future medical costs

 A child travelling with her mother in the back of the bakkie was injured in an accident. She was later diagnosed with cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction, and is unable to care for herself. Her mother died at the scene of the accident. In July 2025, the courts awarded R900,000 for general damages and R8,692,253 for future loss of earnings. The RAF further gave an undertaking to cover all future medical costs.

Factors that affect the value of a RAF claim

The payout for a valid RAF claim is influenced by a number of factors, such as:

• the extent to which you were responsible for causing a road accident (if relevant)
• the nature and severity of your injuries
• the expected short- and long-term consequences of your injuries
• medical costs (including likely future costs) associated with your injuries
• loss of income or support as a direct result of your injuries.

A suitably experienced attorney can determine if your claim has merit. The attorney will also be familiar with past RAF payouts for claims involving similar elements to yours.

RAF settlements versus court awards

The RAF is facing a combination of mounting pressure to deliver and eroded legal resources.

In 2020, the RAF made a controversial decision to stop using panel attorneys, to reduce its own legal costs.

In this context, it’s easier and potentially cheaper for the RAF to make out-of-court settlement offers than to engage in protracted court cases.

Unfortunately, RAF settlement offers are not always fair.

It’s vital for claimants not to accept settlement offers that are unreasonably low, relative to the compensation that the courts would likely award.

An experienced attorney will have a good idea of the RAF payouts for comparable claims, and can advise you on whether to accept a settlement offer.

RAF claims with DSC Attorneys

At DSC Attorneys, we’re experts in road accident claims, with extensive experience in handling claims against the RAF.

Our personal injury attorneys and medico-legal team are committed to helping road accident victims in our country secure the Road Accident Fund payouts they deserve, in as short a period as possible. We work on a no win, no fee basis.