Question:
Transporting injured learners to hospital/doctor in private vehicle:
Working at a school, I do have a PDP license, and I am transporting learners to doctors,x-rays, dentists, hospitals, etc. I would like to know, in which way am I covered transporting them, whether I do it with my private vehicle or a not?
If I do it with my private vehicle [which is not insured by the company] am I personally going to be liable should I be in an accident [whether it was my fault or not] and one of them get traumatized or even killed in such an incident? Does the law in any way protect me or not? Please help asap.
Answer:
In South Africa we have social legislation in the form of the RAF (road accident fund ) this fund is funded by a levy which every South African pay when they fill with petrol.
Every person hhasa claim against the RAF for any and all injuries when they are injured in an accident which is not their fault. Should you be at fault the passengers in your vehicle also have an unlimited claim for their injuries against the RAF and can never sue YOU for damages sustained because of the injuries. When a child or any one dies in your vehicle there can be a claim from the parent in terms of emotional damages against you as he driver if you were the sole cause of the accident.
Kindly make sure that you have public liability cover from your Insurance Company to cover in this event.
Kindly direct any further questions directly to me.
Hope this provide some answers to you.
Kind regards
Corné van de Venter