Road accidents are inevitable. Anyone who got behind the wheel would have gone through it – whether it was a minor glitch or a major write-off. No matter how carefully you drive, others may not share the same thought as you. And if you weren’t in an accident, you should keep reading this all the more.

It is imperative that you are fully informed of the correct procedures to apply in the event of an accident to protect yourself not only from scams but also to ensure that you can properly exercise your rights. So what should you do? Regardless of the fault, here are the actions to take.

First step: cry.

No seriously. Its good. Absolutely no shame. If it’s your parents’ car, you can cry even louder. Now that you’ve let it out, take a deep breath and calm down. You need to stay calm throughout the process and keep a clear mind at all times.

Step two: call your insurance provider.

Inform your agent or insurance company that you have been the victim of an accident. They will be able to advise you on the next steps to follow and inform you of your complaints.

If you are unsure of the identity of your insurer or if you do not have their contact details, remember this number 15-500. This will put you in touch with the Accident Assistance Call Center (AACC) 24 hours a day. AACC is a free service provided by the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM). In addition to assisting you during a crash, he can also assist you in the event of a breakdown.

Step Three: Get outside, stay calm, look confident. Or…

Getting out of your car, getting agitated and angry will not solve any problem; it may even have the opposite effect. Appearing shy and inexperienced might open you up to being cheated or ripped off because … humans.

Or… if the accident happens on a lonely, dark road, the safest thing to do is go to the nearest police station to check for damage, if your car can still move on its own. Otherwise call 15500 – see step two.

Step Four: Write a police report.

At the very least, you need the driver’s name, IC number, phone number, vehicle license plate, time and location of the accident – the police will ask you for them when you will report. It will also be useful to note the make and model of the car. Take pictures of the scene and the damage.

Write down a detailed description of what happened and collect as much information as possible. Write it down if you have to. This will be important when filing your police report later. You may be asked to repeat what happened several times. If you have a dashcam, showing the recording to the police may help explain the situation.

Make sure you file a police report within 24 hours of the accident. It is best to file the report immediately when the details are still fresh in your mind. If you are harassed by unscrupulous third parties, include them in your report as well. Once the report is complete, you can file a claim with your insurance company.

Now that we’ve told you what to do, here’s what you should NOT be doing.

It is important! Do not enter into any negotiations with a party without the prior consent of the insurers. Also, do not accept any payments, receive any cash advance, do not reveal personal banking information, or sign any documents from unknown parties to request assistance. This helps prevent accident victims from receiving claim amounts that are inadequate compared to the initial cost to be paid by insurers due to unknown parties charging high service fees and claimed expenses.

Now that you know what to do and what not to do, you also have to hope that you never need to use this information. Go ahead and drive carefully.