Road traffic accidents and secondary victimisation: the role of law professionals.

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the secondary victimization process related to the compensation procedures for physical injuries with regard to the role of law professionals.

METHODS

Through the completion of an unsigned questionnaire, 81 victims of road traffic accidents reported their experience with the compensation process. The data obtained was submitted for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Factors which trauma victims considered as aggravating to their sequelae and suffering were: the compensation procedures, especially in judicial proceedings; the length of the process--when it exceeds one year; and the attitude of law professionals towards them.

DISCUSSION: An intervention in the compensation system, whereby procedures and law professionals' attitudes are reviewed, is required to circumvent the secondary victimization of road traffic accident victims.