Witnessing a car accident first-hand requires a calm, cool, and collected response under traumatic circumstances. Your course of action will largely depend on the severity of the crash and the extent of the injuries, but there are some general guidelines to keep in mind. By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared to help your fellow drivers until the professional emergency responders arrive.
Ensure Your Safety First
If you are driving when you spot a car crash, pull over to the side of the road at least 100 feet from the scene and put on your hazard lights. You want to give enough distance so you don’t put yourself in danger of broken glass, leaked fuel, or flames.
Call 911
Never assume that someone else already called 911. Even if the wreck doesn’t appear severe, the authorities should be notified. Let the 911 operator know you witnessed a car accident, the location, number of people involved, and any other pertinent details.
Check On The Victims
Once you’ve ensured that it’s safe to approach the scene, check on the condition of the crash victims to make sure they are okay and offer help, if you are able. While this can be an emotionally taxing time, try to stick to the facts and remember that this is not the time to assess who is at fault for the accident or make judgments on what the other driver must have been thinking. A good rule of thumb is to never admit fault at the scene. Unless there’s a risk of the vehicle catching fire, do not under any circumstances move an injured person. Despite your best intentions, you could accidentally make the injury worse. Let the trained medical professionals tend to the injuries, but you can provide comfort by reassuring victims that help is on the way.
Stabilize The Vehicles (If You Can)
If the accident is minor, ask the driver to put the impacted vehicle in “park” and turn off the ignition. This will eliminate the risk of fire, especially since chances are good that the crash has caused an oil, fuel or coolant leak. If it’s safe to do so, enlist help to move the car out of further harm’s way and to leave space for other vehicles and emergency responders. If that’s not possible, set up flares or traffic triangles to warn other drivers of the accident.
Give A Statement & Provide Your Contact Information
When the police arrive, provide the relevant facts and your contact information. In the days and weeks following the event, you may be contacted as a witness by legal and medical authorities and/or insurance claims agents. Be honest, factual, and consistent with your statements.
Car accidents can be upsetting for the victim and the bystander alike. The best way to deal with an accident is to stay on the scene and report what you’ve seen. Only exit your vehicle to render aid if it is safe to do so. Your clearheaded actions to safely assist or protect the victims until emergency assistance arrives can make an enormous difference in the overall outcome.
Being in an accident might be stressful, but GEICO Mobile makes the claims process easy. Download it today in the App Store or Google Play.
By Stephanie Levis
Rex Lowe says,
Sometimes, 100 feet isn’t enough. My wife and I saw a young girl hydroplane as she passed us on I-79 near Morgantown, WVA in July of 1991. We weaved around her and pulled past to see if she was OK. As I was exiting my vehicle, an 18 wheeler came around the curve; the driver upon seeing the disabled vehicle in the highway, yanked hard right, throwing his truck into a jack-knife. Needless to say, the flying debris nearly took my head off, and it’s a pure miracle we both weren’t killed that afternoon. I never found out the fate of either driver, since we were traveling from Pittsburgh to Kentucky. I’ve prayed often that both survived.
Phyllis E. Mahanke says,
Very informative and a good refresher how to handle if you witness an accident.
Dawn melvin says,
Yes that was very good helpfull infomation thank you. Dawn melvin
francis says,
information was a big help! Maybe you could print it so people who are senior and do not
have a computer, but do have insurance with you. Thanks you for your time.
Petras says,
OK
Mark Czerwinski says,
Most phone today have a recording device, tape record your comments to the police and take pictures.
william acini says,
will call police report it to them
Ben Musacchio says,
This is practical information that we all need to read and follow. I plan to print a copy if these guidelines and keep it in my car(s) for an emergency. Thank you GEICO.
Jerry Bond says,
It’s a good piece and printed it to put in my car. Thank you.
MICHAEL says,
When I lived in NC, I reached an accident scene moments after the car collided with an oak tree. The car desintegrated on impact. One person was thrown and killed and the two others were hurt terribly. I had a hard time sleeping for a few weeks. Turned out I knew the person that was killed. Sad…
al moe says,
When tail-gated, I turn on my Emergency blinkers. It works like a charm, they always back off or pass.
Anne says,
Really greate idea. It was snowing the other day some kid just wouldn’t let me drive a safe speed in peace, he kept honking horn as well. I’ll definitely try this next time it happens. Thank you!
Caitlin says,
Al, *thank you*!!!
I drive carefully here in the Sunshine State, especially in tourist season, as there are so many walkers enjoying their vacation time outside.
Going along the roads or making turns where there is a pedestrian crossing, you really have to be careful.
This is a *wonderful* way to signal those impatient cars behind me not to tailgate or push, peacefully and non confrontationally.
Thank you!
Emby says,
Brilliant! GEICO should add that one to this list.
Alice says,
The State of Florida is a no fault state. I witnessed an accident where cars were exiting the highway and they were waiting to merge into traffic on the main road. An SUV hit the car in front of him and pushed it into the road way. Luckily I was able to move over and not hit the car. But when the officer came, no one was cited and she wouldn’t take my statement because there were no injuries. She said each car owners insurance would cover their own car. Then it happened to me. When I asked the officer if he cited the man who sideswiped me changing lanes and damaging my rear bumper he said no because there were no witnesses. Just plain stupid. I am not claiming it on my insurance, I have had a perfect record for 41 years.
Lidya says,
if the state of Florida is a no fault state I think the residents need to start taking the law into their own hands and make those responsible for an accident pay. I would say if you know that you’re a very safe driver get a dash cam, front and rear. See if the driver at fault can be sued. I think legislators need to be urged to take action against drivers that are at fault in the state of Florida. My family members live in Florida , I remember when I was visiting; boy oh boy was driving there was crazy ! I hope residents of Florida can have this change done and you know what?., power to the greater good.
AL Piseno says,
I am a fire fighter by trade, I have been for nearly 34 years. 14 1/2 professionally and 19 1/5 years volunteer. I love my work and the love helping those in crisis
r triplett says,
Al, thank you for your service and keeping the rest of the citizenry safer. My dad was a volunteer firefighter and I truly appreciate your efforts.
Jackie says,
Thanks, Al! In the small town in Texas where I grew up, there was a Volunteer-Only FD and they saved many lives. We appreciate your service.
Lillie Mary Payne says,
This information was definitely enlightening! Thank you.
Noor javed says,
This is really useful informations but I think majority of the witnesses are reluctant to be witness because they don’t want to face legal/ medical procedures . But anyhow, these are very useful tips given in professional way. Thank you geico management.