A huge number of traffic accidents occur in Japan. It is estimated that about 10,000 people are killed in these accidents every year. Being a traffic accident victim is very serious, but it can be even more serious if you cause an accident because of the responsibility of paying huge sums in compensation. It is therefore important to know something about traffic accidents and insurance.
1) Compulsory insurance covers only victims of the accident and is insufficient. Compulsory motor insurance covers only the injuries and death of victims (people). (It does not apply to damages to objects or property.) The maximum amount this insurance secures is 30 million yen in the case of death or aftereffects, and 1.2 million yen in the case of injuries.
2) Voluntary insurance fully covers both victims and property. Though it may be expensive, being covered by this insurance offers security. Today, it is not unusual for compensation payments for traffic-accident deaths and aftereffects to amount to hundreds of millions of yen and tens of millions of yen for medical expenses. As a result, compulsory motor insurance is insufficient. Besides complementing the insufficiency of the compulsory insurance, the voluntary insurance can also cover the property and car of the other party as well as injury to oneself. Although it may be a little expensive, having voluntary motor insurance will offer security.
3) In the event of an injury where there are casualties, first call 119 for an ambulance and report the accident to the police. After that, consult your insurance company or a special counseling office. If you try to make a settlement off hand in a hurry, you could find yourself in serious trouble later. Be sure to consult your insurance company, etc. before taking the next step.
If you do not understand Japanese, contact any of the following organizations where interpreters are available to help in your language.
*NGO GQ-net: 078-232-1290
Languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese
Consultation: Monday, Wednesdays, Friday 2-8pm
*NGO Vietnam in KOBE: 078-736-2987
Languages: Vietnamese, Japanese
Consultation: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm & Saturdays 6pm-8pm