I'm a traffic accident victim and the settlement is too.

What the Law Says

South Korean law provides victims of traffic accidents the right to claim full and fair compensation for all losses caused by another driver’s negligence or violation of traffic rules.

Under the Civil Act, anyone who causes harm through unlawful conduct must compensate the victim for all resulting damages — including medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs, disability, and non-pecuniary losses like pain and suffering.

The Road Traffic Act reinforces this by imposing strict liability on drivers involved in accidents: if a driver violates traffic rules (e.g., speeding, running a red light), they are presumed at fault unless they prove otherwise.

Victims have three years from the date they become aware of both the damage and the perpetrator to file a civil claim — known as the statute of limitations for tort claims.

Statutory Text

A person who causes loss to another person by an unlawful act shall be liable to compensate for such loss.

— Civil Act, s. 750 — Liability for Unlawful Acts

Statutory Text

Where a motor vehicle operator violates road traffic regulations and thereby causes injury or death, the operator shall be presumed to have been negligent.

— Road Traffic Act, s. 125 — Presumption of Negligence

What to Do

Sources