A Hit and Run Accident, Do These 4 Steps Immediately

The worst-case scenario for all drivers is a car collision like a hit and run accident. In the event of a hit and run incident, what should you do? This article will describe the steps you need to take if you are involved in a hit and run accident in Malaysia.

Hit and Run Accident: Know Your Rights and Steps You Need to Do

If you are involved in an accident, in addition to the negative and damaging effects, you also have to deal with the difficult insurance claim procedure, which includes filing police reports, car repairs, and other things. In fact, if you can’t pinpoint which car or driver caused the collision, things will get even more complicated.

A hit and run accident refers to a situation when the other person who is involved in the accident intentionally flees the scene of an accident without leaving any kind of information. The proper procedure is for drivers who are involved in an accident need to stop and get details of driver such as driver’s license and car insurance.

If this situation happens to you, it is important for you to not be panic and remain calm. Never try to catch the driver who escaped after the accident as it is very dangerous. Instead, follow these four steps:

• Stop your car in a safe place, it is best to stop your car by the road.
• If possible, try to identify the driver’s plate number, type and car model that violates you. Other details such as the direction of the vehicle after the violation, time and location of the accident are also important. Car dashcam is very useful in situations like this.
• Take a picture of the damage to your car to facilitate the insurance claim process.
• Make a police report and contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

4 Hit-and-Run Situations You Might Face and How to Overcome

However, the actions you can take usually depend on certain situations. Here are four situations of hit-and-run you may face:

1. You Are Able to Identify the Offender

If you the offender’s information such as a plate number, you can check the car plate number easily through the MyEG and MyCarInfo portal. Here are two ways you can do:

MyEG

Through the MyEG portal, you can see a record of the car that hits your car – you can check the summons that has been charged and you can also find information such as full name and vehicle owner identification card. With this info, you can use it to make a police report. How to check out the car plate number running on MyEG is as follows:

1. Visit the MyEG website.
2. If you have not registered, you will need to sign up first.
3. After completing the registration, you will need to log in or myEG login.
4. Check out the PDRM summons service.
5. Click “Check summons”. Related information will be displayed for your action.

MyCarInfo

If you do not find any summonses on the MyEG portal, you can try to get a brief insurance policy of the party that violates your car through MyCarInfo. You can obtain information such as policy number, start date and expiry date of vehicle owner insurance. With MyCarInfo service, you will be charged RM6 for each inspection. Follow the following steps:

1. Visit MyCarInfo’s official portal.
2. Sign up an account if you do not have a MyCarInfo account. Then login your MyCarInfo account.
3. On the homepage, click the “”Services”” button and select “”I-Search””.
4. At the screen display at the bottom, select the “Comprehensive” plan and you will be taken to the payment plan.
5. Click on Select 1 Credit (RM6) and make a payment via FPX.
6. Enter the vehicle plate number you want to check, your name and email address.
7. Related information will be sent to your email address.

You can take appropriate action with the information obtained through these two portals. Here is how to claim car insurance parties that violate for your reference:

Make a Police Report Immediately

With the information and evidence you have, report within 24 hours after the incident. Clearly explain what has happened or show your car’s dashcam recording (if any) to the officer on duty. If the party that violates your car does not appear to report, the police will issue a summons to him based on the car registration number you have provided.

Once the summons are charged, the party will have to come to the police station to file a report. If the party fails to do so, it is likely that the police will make a decision in favor of the report. In this situation, you will most likely be the innocent party.

Report to Your Insurance Company

Tell your insurance agent or insurance company as soon as possible. Insurance will usually advise you on the steps you need to take, workshops for you to send a car and how to file a claim. Your insurance company will also help you make an insurance claim to the insurance company of the person who hits your car. You do not need to claim from your insurance policy and your car’s NCD will not be affected.

2. You Do Not Have Any Information on the Offender

This situation may be difficult for you as you cannot make insurance claims from the person who hits your car. Without sufficient information about the violator, you will have to:

Pay for Your Own Car Repair Costs

Send your car for repair and pay off without claiming from any insurance company including your own insurance. You can consider taking this step if your car damage is not too serious and you don’t mind paying the cost of the repair itself to not lose your NCD.

Claims from Your Insurance

If you have a comprehensive policy, you can claim from your insurance company. However, by doing so you can lose your NCD.

3. If You Are Accused of Guilty by the Third Party

Another possible scenario that might happen is when a third party appears to make a report accusing the accident due to your mistake. If you do not have enough evidence or no witnesses to counteract your allegations of innocence, you may have a big problem.

Usually, when this is the case, the insurance company (you and the third party) will consider both sides guilty. This means you will not be able to claim car insurance from a third party, and you can only claim from your policy or pay for the damage yourself.

4. The Third party Does Not Have a Car Insurance

If the accident is a third party’s fault, the insurance company will usually demand damages on your behalf. However, what can you do if the party that violates you or the accident car has no valid insurance?

In this scenario, you can take legal action against the party that violates your car. If the court’s decision is on your side, then the party will have to pay damages by incurring the cost of their own pocket. In addition, fines will also be imposed by the court to the offender.

There are many unforeseen events that can occur while you are driving. Because of this, it’s crucial to be mentally prepared and also to be aware of the necessary actions. Also, if you are looking for cheap car insurance, visit the Qoala website to enjoy the best car insurance offer in Malaysia. Don’t wait too long, let’s protect your car with Qoala!