In Reply to: Bad Car Accident posted by feral in Bali on Wednesday, 24. June 2009 at 16:00 Bali Time:
We were also involved in a very bad accident on 13th June (Sat) coming back from Sukawati; on the straight road. A Honda Accord PLOUGHED into the Kijang that I was driving. He later claimed that he was making a U-turn, this was definately NOT so, as the skid marks and point of impact would clearly show. We also had pictures and video taken. The driver was OBVIOUSLY either High on something. My 9yr old, 16yr old, 32 yr old friend and I were all injured. It was a miracle we walked out with only bad bruises. The motor cyclist beside us (a Swiss N'atl) broke his nose when he ploughed into the Honda, he also had to have 6 stitches on his leg. A local woman was slightly bruised, her bike could not start.
The Honda was beyond repair. The driver managed to disappear for more then 20 minutes, even though this happened in from of the Police Station, and they were ever too ready to detail the Swiss national and I. They almost immediately took our drivers' license. I didn;t see them apprehend the Driver of the Honda, but the dumb ass came back 20 minutes later to try and scoot off with his badly damaged Honda. When he realized that he could not, he came to his senses and demanded for payment from me instead. It was a good thing that I hired the Kijang from a honest Balianese (have been hiring from him for years) He came to the accident site within 1/2 hour. He too was disgusted with the drivers' request for compensation, even though we had witness, photos & video. The Police who were at the station and had witnessed the accident, claimed that it was the jurisdiction of the Highway Police. Idiots couldnt even read the details off my International & asked me to write my details for them. Their report was a recycled paper which they used circles & squares to sketch the accident scene.
In the end the guy whom I hired the car from managed to settle the issue, though I had to let the Honda driver get off the hook in return for him not pressing charges. If he did, the car I was driving would have been impounded for who knows how long.
It doesnt matter if you have a VALID driving license or rent from a reputable car rental company. If you do get involved in an accident all you need is the Local Police and a bag load of Rupiah!!!