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WHAT SHOULD I DO IN A ROAD ACCIDENT ?

Most people panic in an accident and therefore too shaken to do anything but worry about the damage. You should try to stay calm.

It is quite common that if the damage is slight, both parties preferred to settle the matter by the quick exchange of small sum of money and continue on their respective ways to their destinations.

In cases where damage is serious, most of us are stumped about what to do next.

Immediately summon the police. Request an ambulance if anyone is injured. If you are made incapable by your injuries, notify your spouse, other family members or attorney of the accident to obtain the information below.

You should always have a pen and paper in your car.

In an accident, you should obtain vital information from the other parties.

• Vehicle Registration numbers
  
• Make of the vehicle (year and model)
  
• Name of each party
  
• Address of each Party
  
• Identity Card number
  
• Driver's License number
  
• Phone number (work and home)
  
• Name of insurance company.

Write down the information legibly. Do not trust this to memory. Many people are struggling to recall these information few weeks later.

Take photographs of the accident site including the vehicles involved, if you have a camera with you. Always keep the negatives in a safe place. Photographs without their negatives may not be admissible as evidence in court.

Be careful of what you say. You should not accept fault as it may be unclear at the time of the incident who is clearly responsible. You may feel sorry for what has happened but you may not be legally liable for the accident. Wait for the police to arrive and withhold your comments for the time being.

Cooperate fully with the police in their investigation. Much of the information and diagram of the accident scene will be reflected in the police report which is being prepared on the accident.

Take injuries seriously. You may not feel immediate pain caused by a real physical injury. Be aware of immediate symptoms such as headache, numbness, neck pain, shooting pain into shoulders or arms. These may indicate serious cervical injury and the sudden onset of pain may occur after 24 hours. Make sure you visit a physician as soon as possible to receive medical care and get a medical report. Don't be too concerned with other problems related to the accident until your discomfort goes unnoticed.

WHAT I SHOULD DO AT THE POLICE STATION ?

If police was not summoned at the accident site, you may make a police report within 24 hours of the accident at the nearest police station.

At the police station, you must explain how the accident happened. The report can be written in Bahasa Malaysia. Sign at the bottom of the report. If you cannot write in Bahasa Malaysia, you should explain to the police officer on duty who will write it down for you. Be sure to ask for a CERTIFIED COPY of the police report.