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.
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By Stephanie Levis
Eddie Harris 3rd says,
Take pictures, call 911,
calos apacheco says,
Thanks for your information and Tips are very important.
I am a Safe Driver in the last 42 years.
Elmer g cardona says,
This it’s very helpful thank you so much
Lydia ortiz says,
Thank the article was very helpfulL
Antoine says,
Good to know
Lartharee Thompson says,
This information was very informative. Thanks
Marketta says,
Great information to have. Thanks Geico.
Michael A Moore says,
I see accidents every day I drive two different kind of buses so I’m on the road a lot more people should read this kind of information and maybe there will be less accident around the world, this price of information is very good and helpful
Barbara Steele says,
Great information , we are always aware of our surroundings . You never know what lies ahead , my husband was on his way to work this week , 4:30 am , and an on coming car kept flashing his lights at my husband . It wondered why.
Then a second car did the same , my husband kept his eyes scanning the road ahead, then he saw something in the road , slowing down, he sees that a tree has fallen across his lane …. He managed to go around the tree and continue to work . My question is , at that point what do you do, who do you call at time of morning on a county road?
Mozell Amaker says,
The information is really useful
Thanks
Tina john charles says,
Great information
Thank you
Fred Brown says,
Excellent advice! As a volunteer fire and rescue engineer ( fire truck driver), I have seen more than my share of accident scenes. PLEASE look out for yourself as well as any injured parties. I have been on too many scenes where the good Samaritan was hit by another driver watching the accident instead of the road. Your safety matters as well as the injured!
Dennis R. Cole says,
If spilled or suspected fuel leaks are present , DO NOT use flares or other flames ! ! !
Erica says,
I witnessed an accident once and stayed on the scene (late to work) to report what happened when the officers arrived. They allowed me to tell them but it seemed they didn’t really need the information. No one ever called me later on.
Thanks for the tips never know when you may need them.
Edith gallone says,
I’ve done this many times witnessed an accident I never stop to see if they’re OK but I did call 911 describe the accident and what happened