A small or minor accident in Malaysia can be quite common. Many drivers are not aware of what to do when such an incident happens and the financial implications it might have. The most common issue one has to think about in minor accidents would be the hassle of going through claims and making the police report but there are other things to consider as well.
Safety – No matter what happens, safety must be the priority. If you are a lady driver and someone knocks your car, you can drive to the nearest police station or public place. Do not stop the car immediately. Even for male drivers, this should be the practice especially if it is at night or in a secluded place.
Access Situation – Look at whose fault is it. You need to know the Highway Code about this. If it is not your fault, then you have nothing to lose. If it is, then you might want to consider making the police report.
In a small accident you should not provide your I/C number or handphone number to anyone. The best thing to do is to make the police report although it can be quite a hassle. This is to ensure that all the issues can be resolved in due time.
After all, you are not a mechanic and will not be able to assess the true nature of the damage. If the person involved do not want any hassle and willing to pay you a certain amount and get on with it, you can consider and accept the payment.
But if you cannot come to an agreement or if you do not feel very good about the whole situation, then let the police handle the case. Remember that accident reports MUST be lodged within 24 hours of its occurrence. Since it is a minor accident, the person at fault will need to pay a summon and then the report can be used for the insurance claim. After that, call the insurance company which will then guide you through the next process.
