Quite literally, pardon the pun..
As I began my first day of work after the CNY break, I was greeted by a BANG, literally.. I was hit from the back by a Toyota Yaris driven by a late 40s lady on her way to the gym during the morning rush hour..
It was a pure wrong place-wrong time as I would not normally use this road..
I have reviewed the dashcam again and again and I still believed the accident was unavoidable.. At the speed of 20-30kph which I believe she was doing, she wouldn't brake in time as well..
The morning rush hour traffic was heavy, but it was moving at a slow 20-30kph pace - otherwise it could have been worse..
After the initial shock, we got down and checked on our cars.. The car in front did not appear to have any damage at all, with only my front number plate broke.. So the driver just shrugged it off and left, leaving me and the other lady to deal with the accident..
We pulled aside off the main road and exchanged contact information.. She was pretty apologetic but visibly shaken.. I was shaken as well, but I knew what I had to do - snapped a few photographs and got her personal details.. I told her there is no way we could settle this so we will need to claim from insurance - her insurance..
She was not too delighted, I later found out that her NCB was at the max 55% and hence that's why she was reluctant to claim insurance, but with the damage to my car, I doubt she could compensate.. I told her I am still going to the police and report the accident for insurance claim..
She left the scene afterwards and made the police report in the afternoon.. I too went to the same police station a while later in the afternoon..
Her Yaris, well at first look, not much damage, except a broken fog lamp, grill, number plate and fender, but later upon inspecting the photographs, I realised her bonet moved and looks out of place at the joints, which clearly meant her car body took a bad hit.. In my mind, "lady, are you sure you want to pay for the repairs for both cars out of pocket, you should thank me for insisting on claiming for insurance".
It was a long wait as I have to wait for the investigating officer to get my statement after filing the report and then wait for the cameraman to photograph the damage..
All in all, it was about 3 hours later that I managed to get this done, and left for home at 6pm..
By the looks of damage and the process of accident claims in Malaysia, I will be without my car for at least 4 weeks..
My car was damaged in the rear fender, bumper, trunk cover, back panel and I suspected the exhaust pipe also bore the impact as now I drive around with a muffler.. And I think I am not able to open the boot because it was smashed jammed into the car body.. I scared if I open it, I cant close it as clearly the alignment of the hook is out..
So yeah, that was how the new year began with a BANG.