accident is influenced not so much by the type of vehicle the casualty was using, but rather by the type of vehicle the other party was using. The larger the vehicle of the other party in the accident, the higher the incidence of death or serious injury. (In terms of the vehicle used by the casualty, passenger cars accounted for the lowest rates of fatality and serious injury.) (See Fig. 8)

## Features of traffic accidents focusing on traffic accident victims

### 1. Traffic accident-related legal action and consultations

The numbers of traffic accident-related lawsuits and arbitration cases dealt with by courts in 1999 were 7,945 and 4,703 cases, respectively.

Consultations relating to traffic accidents are offered at police stations throughout Japan, traffic accident consultation centers operated by local public organizations and traffic accident consultation centers operated by the Japan Foundation of Bar Associations. The total numbers of consultations conducted at these places in FY1998 were, respectively, 182,843, 137,999 and 28,431.

### 2. Attitudes of traffic accident victims

The Traffic Accident Damage Investigation and Research Committee (composed of academics, National Police Agency representatives and other specialists) conducted a poll to assess the extent of suffering experienced by the victims of traffic accidents and the families of fatalities (June 1999). The results of the poll clearly showed that victims and bereaved families suffer 1) mental anguish, 2) dramatic life changes after accidents, 3) physical disability, and 4) protracted negotiations for compensation.

### 3. Occurrence of disabilities resulting from traffic accidents

On the basis of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Welfare (1996) on those left physically disabled by traffic accidents, the number, including children, is estimated approximately 130,000. Of these, an estimated 33,000 people have serious disabilities.

The number of payments made under the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance for serious disabilities incurred in traffic accidents has doubled in the last 10 years (from 973 cases in FY1989 to 1,944 in FY1998), posing a serious problem.

### 4. Accident circumstances focusing on parties other than primary parties

(1) Traffic accident statistics reveal that the casualty rate for the primary parties involved in traffic accidents has remained fairly steady, while that for secondary and other parties has been rising (both for male and females). Since 1990 the casualty rates for men and women involved in accidents as non-primary parties has increased by 1.3 times and 1.5 times respectively. (See Fig. 9)

Figure 9 Casualties of Non-Primary Parties

Figure 10 Casualties by Type of Involved Party

Note: Source: Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis

(2) Of all traffic accident casualties, 87.3% (or 925,700 casualties) occurred among non-primary parties, the rate being approximately seven times the rate for primary parties. The number of non-primary parties who were killed or injured without committing any law violations at the time of the accident (“innocent victims”), accounted for 60.6% of all casualties. (See Fig. 10)

Furthermore, 55.1% of traffic accident fatalities (4,967) were non-primary parties. Non-primary parties who were killed without committing any law violations (“innocent victims”) made up 26.0% of all fatalities. (See Fig. 11)

(3) A total of 45% of all non-primary parties killed in accidents were pedestrians, more than any other road user type. In comparison, most primary party fatalities were motor vehicle occupants (62%).