Accident without bodily injury:
Personal injury accident:
A traffic accident will be criminally investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the following cases:
If the motor vehicle accident is not reported within the specified time period, and the driver does not provide a reasonable justification for the delay, the driver will be issued a written notice to appear in court (J 534) or a notice of violation under the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Violations Act of 1998 (AARTO) (Act 46 of 1998).
Crime is a major problem in South Africa, and the rate of theft is very high: burglaries and carjacking. The statistics for crime and theft are among the highest in the world. The reasons are multiple: unemployment, miserable living conditions, strong social disparities, etc.
If you are just a witness, think first of your safety and get out of danger. Call 10111 or 112 to report the incident.
If you are the victim of a break-in at home, notify the security company (or use the panic button) if you have one (their response is often faster than the police). Call 10111 or 112 and emphasize the emergency to the operator.
Security companies in South Africa:
If you have been injured, wait for an ambulance to come to the scene. The South African public ambulance service is very reliable, and some insurance companies have their own emergency medical numbers.
If you are taken to a private hospital, you will be asked for your insurance to cover the cost; otherwise, you will have to pay for it. If you are taken to a public hospital, you will be admitted without condition.
The Automobile Association (AA) is an association that assists you, in exchange for an annual fee, in case of a breakdown or an accident with your vehicle and also in case of medical assistance.
Before buying insurance, check the terms and conditions carefully and do not hesitate to compare the contracts offered by different companies. In general, ambulance transport is included in all contracts, but check that emergency medical intervention or paramedical assistance is also included. Towing of the damaged vehicle is included in almost all policies.
The most reputable car insurance companies in South Africa are:
Children's Emergency Line: 0800123321
Violence against women line: People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) 0116424345
Crime Stop: to report a crime anonymously 0860010111