Victims of common-day traffic accidents in Brazil are struggling to manage medical treatment and financial stability following the suspension of the Personal Injury Insurance for Land Motor Vehicles (DPVAT) in 2021. The impact of this change is especially hard on low-income families, who previously depended on this insurance for compensation related to accidents that occurred during daily activities, such as going to the bakery or church. Without access to these funds, many are left vulnerable and without the necessary financial support to recover from their injuries.

From January 2021 to November 2023, a significant number of claims—1,597,966—were made for DPVAT compensation, of which only 988,200 payments were executed. This allowed 857,200 individuals to benefit from a total of over R$ 3.7 billion disbursed for claims, as reported by Caixa, the institution that managed the DPVAT until its suspension. This drastic reduction in available compensation resonates across various sectors, illuminating an ongoing crisis for individuals affected by traffic-related injuries.

In Paraíba, the void left by the suspension has begun to strain healthcare systems, as exemplified by the Trauma Hospital in João Pessoa, which reported treating over 8,000 traffic accident victims in 2025 alone, with motorcycles making up 79% of these cases. The inability for victims to obtain DPVAT compensation exacerbates their plight, delaying recoveries and placing an immense burden on public health services, highlighting the urgent need for policy reevaluation to support vulnerable accident victims more effectively.