What happens if you kill someone in an car accident?

Accidents do happen. Accident can be define as “an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap.” So, the keywords are undesirable, unintentional etc.

When there is an accident, it will usually result in loss, damages etc. Common damages will be the physical damage such as damages to the vehicles or other’s property.  A much serious accident may involve human life, where apart from bodily injuries, death may occur too.

So, what happens if you are involved in an accident and someone is killed in the event?

If you have a valid car insurance, be it Third Party Only (TPO), Third Party, Fire & Theft Cover (TPFT), or Comprehensive Insurance, your car insurance policy will cover you.  You should at least stay calm and be glad that you have a valid car insurance.

Section B of your insurance policy (Liability to Third Parties) states:

“We will indemnify You and / or Your Authorised Driver for the amount which You and / or Your Authorised Driver are legally liable to pay any third party (including third party’s costs and expenses) for:

(i) death or bodily injury to any person except those specifically excluded under this Policy; and / or

(ii) damage to property except those specifically excluded under this policy

as a result of an Incident arising out of the use of Your Car on a Road. This cover is extended to Your Authorised Driver provided Your Authorised Driver also complies with all the terms and conditions of this Policy.”

So, basically, you are protected if you have a valid car insurance.  The liability amount that your policy will cover you is up to Rm3mil for third party property damage, and unlimited amount for death or bodily injury to third party.

The family member of the victim that died in the accident is very likely to bring you to court for causing the death of their family member, and your insurance policy will defend you and compensate whatever amount granted by the court. Provided you did nothing that void your cover.

General exclusion such as driving under influence, speed racing etc would void your insurance cover, so as long as you are not engaging in any illegal activities, and the death caused is purely accidental, your insurance policy will take care of all the troubles.