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
Liz Appel says,
Thanks again for the great advise. At this time of so many negative action against
each other, it’s a good reminder that we do need each other in case of an emergency.
Gino says,
Great advise as nowadays most people jump on social media as opposed to following the steps indicated in the article. Should be a great read to everyone.
Morgan says,
I have been always wondering what to do if I saw an accident occur. I have seen many “almost accidents”. Great article!
Candice says,
I witnessed an accident the other night. I hadn’t even seen this at the time, but I did everything suggested except park 100ft back with hazards on. I did pull over out of the way and a safe distance from the accident so I could check on the victims as well as call 911 myself and not hope the victims had.
Glenn Bartley says,
Great handy information.
Thanks
Geico
Tricia says,
Great reminders – thank you
Omar Sandoval says,
I was driving with 3 other passengers on the far left lane of a 5 lane highway when I witnessed an accident in front of me. All of a sudden a full sized SUV like a Yukon or Tahoe that was on the 3rd or 4th lane from the right starts cutting across all the lanes of the highway headed towards the median traveling at a high rate of speed. It’s a miracle they didn’t hit any cars, because it’s a normally busy highway. The SUV collided made impact with the concrete median and flipped and the car flipped and landed upside down. I was driving about 100 yards from the scene of the accident and was the first car there to react, I immediately dashed to the car to make sure everyone was ok. A second car pulled up behind me and another gentlemen was right there with me. A female in her late 50’s early 60’s was reaching out for help and trying to crawl through the broken glass from her windshield/windows breaking on impact. She was totally out of it as her airbags had deflated and she had obviously hit her head something. The car was leaking gasoline fast and I was afraid that any small spark would turn this into a more severe situation. The gentleman and I helped her to her feet and I asked if she was traveling alone, she mumbled yes and I said I’m going to need you to walk towards our vehicles. She kept mumbling about her purse. In my head I was like screw your purse lady, if this car goes up in flames were all done for. We sat her down in the gentlemans vehicle and waited for CHP/Ambulance to arrive. I gave my contact information and was on my way. I was contacted about a week later and told the officer everything I witnessed and did.
nick says,
Best thing I’ve found in my spam box
Mohamed A Ali says,
Thanks for the great hint and tips it’s more then an advice- Arivel Alive and always keep eyes on the road Thanks in Advance
Andrew Loveland says,
Its a good piece to put in R car
Patti says,
How do I upload the geico app?
angela Ester says,
I call 911, and report inmediatly.
Kadiatou drame' says,
Now I know better how to help in witnessing an accident case. I have been in a collision where lot of information were missing because of lake of witness with pictures.
EPIFANIO VELAZQUES says,
I am a new member and I thank you for your advise
Oyinda Ojofeitimi says,
This is very helpful information, one never knows when they may need the help of others, especially in colder temperatures. well done Geico,