Men, women, adults, children – people from all walks and colours of life use the road on a daily basis. We each play differing roles – drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. Regardless of the role, each and every one of us are exposed to the very risk that we could get into an accident as a result of another person’s error.
In the year 2016 alone, The Star newspaper reported an alarming total of 521,466 traffic accidents and 7,152 traffic-related deaths in Malaysia. The numbers increased drastically from year 2015 and over 80 percent of these accidents are caused by human error. Whilst one may take safety precautions to mitigate the risk, it is inevitable another person may not be as diligent in this matter.
Although there have been cases where both parties were able to walk away from the accident scratch-free, what happens when there are injuries involved? One day, you may be walking down the road, thinking you only had to cross the busy junction to get to the grocery store. Within seconds, you hear the tyres screeching and there was total darkness. You wake up in the hospital days later, only to be told that you are now paralysed from the waist down. What would you do then? What would you do if this happened to your loved ones?
Recovering from an injury caused by another person is no easy feat. Besides the accumulation of expensive medical expenses, there is also emotional and physical distress to you and your loved ones. It can be a life-altering situation for those who suffer from serious injuries. We also have to question if the injured person could perform his or her occupational duty after these injuries.
Therefore, it is very important that you gather as many details as you can about the accident should you sustain any injuries. These evidences would assist you in getting due compensation for the inconvenience and sufferings you have gained.
Refer to the following steps for a quick guide on what to do when you are involved in a traffic accident:
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Documenting the Scene
Use your phone to take as many pictures of the scene as possible, the vehicles involved, and obvious injuries that you have sustained. These photos can be used as photographic evidence to substantiate your claim.
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Talk to Witnesses
If there are any witnesses who stopped, try to get their version of the story and contact information. They could be material witnesses should their stories corroborate with your narration, giving you the extra assistance to a justified compensation.
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Call the Police
Very often, the party in error would attempt to leave law enforcement out of the picture. You shouldn’t concur and insist on calling the police to the scene immediately. A police report can provide actual documentation of the incident, and can be used as evidence for your claim.
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Go to the Doctor
Getting treatment from the doctor should be part of your priority even though there are no visible injuries. Sometimes, it could be an internal injury which could be worse in the long run. Getting medical attention not only helps you to accurately assess your physical well-being, it also becomes official documentation which is needed should you decide to file for a claim.
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Send Your Car to the Workshop
After documenting the scene and visiting the doctor, it is time to send your vehicle to the workshop (if applicable). You would need to collect estimates for damages done to your vehicle, which can be covered as part of the compensation provided by the party at fault.
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Mind Your Manners
In times like this, it is not unheard of that both parties would get into a heated argument over the accident. Remember to mind your manners and watch your words, especially when dealing with the insurance adjusters and claims attorneys. Staying on their good side could help strengthen your claim and ensuring you get a higher compensation at the end of the day.
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Talk to a solicitor
Contact a solicitor to seek advice on taking the right steps to filing a claim. A professional and experienced solicitor would ensure you are not being short changed by the insurance company and the defending party. This would come in handy especially when there are long term medical care or extensive wage loss to factor in.