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Road Rules for Cyclists in South Africa: What Cyclists and Drivers Should Know
Road rules for cyclists in South Africa are there to protect everyone who shares the road. Cyclists have the right to use many public roads, but they are also vulnerable road users. A collision with a motor vehicle can cause serious injury, long-term financial strain, and a difficult recovery process. Understanding the rules helps cyclists ride more safely and helps drivers understand their duty to pass and interact with cyclists responsibly. It also helps injured cyclists know what steps may be available after an accident. Can Cyclists Ride on Public Roads in South Africa? Yes. In South Africa, cyclists may generally ride on public roads, except where cycling is prohibited. Cyclists are not allowed to ride on freeways and must obey road signs prohibiting cycling in specific areas. Arrive Alive’s road safety guidance refers to Regulation 323, which prohibits pedal cycles on freeways. This means cyclists are legitimate road users.
Gert Nel Attorneys Obtains RAF Settlement Worth More Than R10 Million for Client
2 April 2019 Pretoria – Gert Nel Attorneys recently obtained a RAF Settlement worth more than R10 million in a Road Accident Fund claim. The judgement was obtained for a client who was involved in a motor vehicle accident when the insured driver skipped a red traffic light and collided with our client. Merits was settled 100% in favour of our client. The client sustained injuries to his neck and back including a fracture of the odontoid process at C2 level in his neck. He sustained several rib fractures and soft tissue injuries to his hip and right arm. As a result of the injuries he had a fusion done on C1 – C3 levels in his neck. He however remained symptomatic after the neck operation, in respect of pain in his neck. This led to him not being able to function in the open labour market, and as a
Festive Season Safety Tips for a Safer Holiday
South Africans are social animals who work hard and play hard. As we draw to the close of the year, we gratefully accept any opportunity to celebrate and socialise. We love this about our nation and encourage it within reasonable limits. The chances of accidents increase as we approach the end of the year for a number of reasons, including: We’ve worked hard all year, so we’re tired and distracted.There’s an increase in social functions, with an increase in alcohol intake.We’re stressed in different ways by trying to wrap up the year, ensuring we have met our goals, while also planning for the holidays and the next year.Some of us may be feeling the weight of financial strain as we want to provide for our loved ones but are financially constrained.As people travel to be with family and friends, we are travelling longer distances on roads we may not be
Thinking of claiming from the RAF without an attorney? Think again
Recent publications may have you thinking about claiming from the RAF without an attorney, but direct claims may not be the answer for you. Do you need to claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF)? Do you have an attorney? Should you go the direct route and have the RAF assist you? To aid you in making the right decision consider the following. You may argue that it is costly to use an attorney to assist you with a claim against the RAF and that you can do better by going the direct route as per the RAF’s website. However, it could just cost you more by not making use of the services of a reputable attorney, both in time and in money. Claiming direct from the RAF Section 19(c) of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996 (as amended) stipulates that a claim may be lodged by the
What to do after a car accident
An accident is an unplanned and uncontrolled event, and it isn’t something you really want to think about. Knowing what to do after a car accident and which important steps to follow can make the whole experience easier to deal with. No-one wants to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. We all do our best to avoid them, but as just mentioned, it is an unplanned and uncontrolled event. You may not be able to control future events. You can, however, drive safely, stay alert and obey the laws, but you cannot predict what will happen. Being prepared and knowing what to do after a car accident is one of the best things you can do. Motor vehicle accident statistics Some terrible and sobering statistics from a press release by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in April 2017 stated that there were 235 deaths over the Easter period.
Retinopathy of Prematurity and Medical Negligence Claims
Over 100 000 babies are born prematurely each year in South Africa. There are many heartwarming stories of premature babies who grow into healthy adults with no related issues. Sadly, however, medical and health complications linked to premature births are now the second biggest killer of children under 5 years, after pneumonia. How is Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence linked? The causes of premature births are numerous and are often completely unavoidable. However, in some cases premature births can be the result of negligence on the part of a medical practitioner. Where negligence has occurred, it may be necessary to take steps to submit a claim to ensure that you are adequately financially covered to treat possible complications that may arise because of the early delivery. One of the possible outcomes associated with a premature birth is Retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. In cases involving Retinopathy of prematurity medical negligence,