Easier compensation due for vehicle accidents

Victims of traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles such as buses, taxes and trucks will find it easier to be compensated for their injuries or other damages.

The Construction-Transportation Ministry disclosed August 23 that it would immediately activate a mutual-aid arbitration committee to coordinate disputes over compensation for damages caused by traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks.

The committee was composed of eight members, including government officials, medical doctors and professors of health insurance studies. The arbitration committee was formed basically to persuade the rival parties in an accident to reach a mutual agreement on the compensation conditions. But in case this fails, the committee is set to mediate the disputes and make their own decision within 30 days after applications are received.

Previously, traffic victims injured by commercial vehicles faced various disadvantages, as they were obliged to receive less compensation or forced to leave hospitals, and had no way of addressing their plights except for civic suits.

Sin Yeon-Su ysshin@donga.com