What to do right after a car accident
You have just been in a car accident and do not know what to do first.
Pull over safely, check for injuries, and take it one step at a time. Nothing else matters until everyone is safe and any injury has been dealt with. Then a short list of practical steps carries you through the rest of the day.
What to do right now
- Turn on your hazard lights and move to the roadside if your car is blocking traffic and no one is badly hurt.
- Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and call for an ambulance if there is any doubt at all.
- Photograph both vehicles, the road, and anything nearby that helps show how the crash happened.
- Get the other driver’s name, phone number, identity card number and vehicle registration.
- Ask any bystanders who saw it happen for their name and phone number before they leave.
- Lodge a police report the same day where possible, since Malaysian law expects this within 24 hours.[1]
A full walkthrough of the police report itself, including where to go and what to bring, is covered in lodging a police report.
Why this order matters
Safety comes before evidence, and evidence comes before any talk of a claim. Negotiating at the roadside, before a doctor visit or a report, leaves you weaker later because nothing was recorded.
Each step supports the next. The photos support the police report, the report supports the insurance claim, and the medical check protects your health and your evidence.
What can wait until later
Insurance paperwork, repair quotes and any talk of compensation can wait a day or two. Do them after you have seen a doctor.
What to do after a road accident covers the following days. Making a road accident claim explains what a claim involves.
If you were not the one driving
A passenger, cyclist or pedestrian follows the same order: get safe, get checked, get it recorded. Only the people you exchange details with may differ.
If you were hurt, an independent lawyer can take on the claim once you are ready. Send the accident date, where it happened, whether anyone was injured (yes/no) and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
Should I call the police even if the damage looks minor?
If anyone is hurt, yes, call for help straight away. For a small bump with no injury, PDRM (the police) now allows online e-reporting for minor accidents, though it is worth checking whether your situation truly qualifies before relying on it.
What if I am too shaken to think clearly?
That is a normal reaction. Work through the steps one at a time, and ask anyone with you or a passer-by to help with photos or calls.
Do I have to admit fault to keep things calm at the scene?
No. Staying calm and being cooperative does not require agreeing on who caused the accident. Fault is worked out afterward from evidence, not from what either driver says in the heat of the moment.
How soon should I see a doctor if I feel okay?
See one the same day if you can, even without obvious pain. Adrenaline often masks injury for hours, and a same-day medical record matters later if it turns out you were hurt more than it felt at the time.
Sources
- Road Transport Act 1987, s.52 (Ministry of Transport) (accessed 2026-09-22)
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.