Q:
Whilst crossing at an intersection I was hit by a right-turning vehicle and twisted my ankle. A report was filed with the police and I soon received treatment, which I paid for, at a nearby hospital. I wanted to claim compensation from the driver, but they had no
insurance. How can I go about claiming compensation for my treatment and lost income from my time off work?
A: By law all motor vehicles should have compulsory automobile liability insurance. If an accident occurs then a fixed amount of compensation is guaranteed.
However, in the case of hit-and-run accidents and accidents involving non-insured vehicles there is a government-guaranteed compensation system. If an injured party has not been able to receive any
compensation from the perpetrator then they can apply to the government for payment.
Applications for government compensation can be done through any domestic insurance company. The insurance company will notify the government on your behalf and receive the compensation money, charging you a handling fee in the process. Compulsory automobile
liability insurance is used as a basis for the compensation amount and claims process. However claims are scrutinized more closely.
An applicant can receive upto a maximum of 1.2 million yen for injury compensation. A shinsatsusho 診察書, available from the hospital, and a kotsujiko-shomeisho 交通事故証明書,
available for 600 Yen from the Safe Driving Center located at the Aichi Prefectural Police Headquarters, are required when applying for the compensation.
