Road Traffic Accidents in Morocco: Compensation for Victims

If you are injured in a road accident in Morocco, you are compensated by the insurer of the vehicle at fault under the rules of the dahir of 2 October 1984, which take into account your income, your age and the disability rate set by a medical assessment. The first steps are decisive: a police or gendarmerie report, an initial medical certificate and keeping every receipt and record.

First steps

Call the police or gendarmerie and note the report reference.
Record the drivers' identities, the registration numbers and each vehicle's insurer.
See a doctor promptly and obtain an initial medical certificate.
Take photos of the scene and the vehicles, and note any witnesses.
Notify your own insurer within the time limit in your policy.

Losses that are compensated

Temporary inability to work and loss of income.
Permanent partial disability, at the rate set by the expert.
Medical, hospital and rehabilitation costs.
Pain and suffering and disfigurement.
In the event of death, the loss suffered by the dependants.
Damage to the vehicle.

Step-by-step procedure

Step 1: gather the report and medical certificates.
Step 2: send a compensation claim to the insurer of the vehicle at fault.
Step 3: medical assessment setting the disability rates, which can be challenged.
Step 4: review the insurer's settlement offer.
Step 5: failing agreement, legal action, in particular by joining the criminal proceedings as a civil party.
Step 6: enforcement of the judgment against the insurer.

Documents to prepare

Police or gendarmerie report, or joint accident report.
Initial medical certificate and later certificates.
Medical and pharmacy invoices.
Proof of income (payslips, tax returns).
Insurance certificate and vehicle registration document.

Special cases and the guarantee fund

The victim's own fault can reduce compensation, which is why the findings made at the scene matter. Where the person at fault is unidentified or uninsured, the victim can turn to the Road Accident Guarantee Fund.

Where there are injuries, the accident may also lead to criminal proceedings against the driver at fault. The victim can then claim compensation within those proceedings.

Common mistakes

Accepting the insurer's first offer too quickly without checking the calculation.
Not seeing a doctor in the days following the accident.
Losing receipts for expenses and proof of income.
Not challenging an assessment that underestimates the after-effects.

Frequently asked questions

How is road accident compensation calculated in Morocco?

It follows the rules of the dahir of 2 October 1984: compensation depends in particular on the victim's income, age and the disability rate set by the expert, with separate heads for expenses and suffering.

What if the person at fault is uninsured?

The victim may be compensated by the Road Accident Guarantee Fund, under the conditions set by law, where the person at fault is uninsured or unidentified.

Should I accept the insurer's offer?

Only after checking the disability rate used, the income taken into account and every head of loss. A signed settlement is difficult to undo.

Reference texts