Presently, civil claims on traffic accidents involving injuries can be delayed for up to a few years after the criminal proceedings.

Generally, if there is an offence - such as negligence, rashness or driving when drunk - committed during an accident, the motorist will be prosecuted first before a civil claim against him is made.

However, as some of the victims are unaware of the criminal proceedings or turn to their lawyers only after they find out about the result, the civil cases could be delayed for up to a few years.

Last year, there were a total of 8,323 accidents and 7,499 the previous year.

The Subordinate Courts found that one in five civil claims involving injuries arising from a traffic accident also involved a similar criminal charge against the motorists.

This means that the victims might end up having to give evidence twice - once in the criminal hearing and another time in the civil court.