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My Experience after a Motor Accident
By Lintang Bob Yong
On June 13, 2011 at about 1.30 PM, I was travelling along Jalan Hujan Emas, Overseas Union Garden, on my way to pick up my granddaughter from school. At the T junction my car was hit at the rear by another car coming out from a side road.
On impact, I thought my car would turn turtle. But instead my car swirled around 180 degree and stopped right in the middle of the main road, facing the car that hit it. I stayed in the car, dazed for a few seconds and wondered whether I was still alive. The engine was still running and when I tried to drive the car to the side of the road but it couldn’t move an inch. I got down from my car and walked over to the driver and was surprised to see her sitting there equally dazed. I examined my car and was shock to see that the left-rear wheel was almost detached. At close examination, I notice the axle on the car’s rear has broken and the wheel was made immobile. Further, the left-rear car’s body work and paint was damaged, and the door was jammed.
On hind sight, though not happy with the fault of the errant driver, I thank the Lord from keeping both of us safe and away from bodily injuries. It is God’s mercy too that at the time of accident, there were no other cars, motor-cycles and people in the vicinity.
After having calmed down and without further delay I called a toll-free telephone number provided by my insurer. About 10 minutes later, I received a call from a tow truck operator who told me that he was sent by a PIAM authorized motor repairer and he was on his way to the site of the accident. He was helpful and towed my car to the Sri Petaling Police Station to make my report. I accompanied him to the police station in his tow truck. This was the first time I ever sat in a tow truck.
After making the report, I was told that I had to go to the KL High Street Traffic Police HQ to have the report verified and to obtain certain documents if I wanted to file my insurance claim without losing my NCD on the next policy renewal. I have also been informed that the HQ would close its office each day at 3.00 PM.
After making the report, my car was towed straight to Sum Motor workshop at Old Klang Road with me riding as a passenger again. The ride was slow and bumpy. During the journey, my mind was filled with anxieties about, among other things, the period that I would be deprived of the loss of use of my car.
The staffs at the workshop were sympathetic and rendered all the assistance that was necessary and assured me that my car would be repaired as soon as possible. I was grateful that they sent me home after all documentations were completed.
I got up early the following morning, praying that I could have all the things done before the closing time. I was mentally preparing myself to spend at least 2 hours for this errand, bearing in mind that this has been the norm that one has to wait for some time when making motor accident report. I was prepared for this and brought along a book so that I could read it while waiting to be attended.
I was at the High Street Traffic Police Station at 10.00 PM and to my surprise, the entire procedure took only 10 minutes. The police and the staff were courteous and friendly. In my opinion, the service was a marked difference from the bygone days. The motto ‘Clean, Transparent and Efficient Government’ must have been put into practice earnestly by the public servants. With this glaring improvement, I felt a sense of pride that the police has live up to its promises and the rayat’s expectation. I left the place happy and contended.
On June 24, 2011, I received a phone call from the motor repairers informing me that my car was repaired and ready for collection. I took possession of my car on the same day. All in all, my car was in the workshop for 12 days.
I was happy with the good service and the satisfactory repair works provided by Sum Motor Sdn Bhd.
Because I was not at fault in the accident and not wanting to lose my NCD, I filed an OD (own-damaged) claim to my insurer. The Insurers’ KFK (Knock for Knock) agreement allows my insurer to recover the cost of repair from the other party’s insurer who is liable for the cost of the damage. I am also entitled to claim for ‘loss of use of’ of my car during the period that it was in the workshop while undergoing repair.
I filed my claim 'for the loss of use of' on June 30, 2011. On July 13, 2011, the insurer of the other party offered me a compensation of 25 % on the amount I claimed. I rejected the offer and appealed for a more reasonable sum. And with the help of a good friend, the insurer on July 22, 2011 revised their offer of compensation upto 68% of my original claim amount. I accepted the offer on August 5, 2011 and received a cheque on August 18, 2011. The repair bill for the damage of my car was fully paid by my insurer direct to the repairer.
All in all, the entire episode took 67 days.
Although this was a traumatic experience to me, I thank God for his blessing.
