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
Kathleen Rollins says,
Excellent and very important information to be knowledgeable of the appropriate steps to take if one experiences an automobile collision.
Nicholas Vasil says,
What if the person who was involved in the accident is not breathing? Do you administer CPR?…if you know how to.? And oes the Good Samaritan law apply while providing CPR in case one is sued later because the person, if revived, is brain dead? Also, one can’t assume that every one has a cell phone or a camera on the phone that they have. It is hoped that passers-by will take the initiative to call 911.
Rob says,
If you see or are in an accident, (even a minor fender bender) PLEASE observe, carefully note, record or take a photograph of each car, especially the license plates! Note the make/color of the cars, especially if one of the cars isn’t damaged as badly or incapacitated. Unless both of the cars are damaged beyond driving, they are candidates for committing a hit and run. I have been the victim of or witnessed several hit & run accidents where one of the drivers pretends to be pulling over, but suddenly flees the scene as quickly as possible. Never to be seen again. Too many drivers who cause or are in accidents don’t want to be caught and interrogated by the other party or authorities either due to no / revoked license, intoxication, lack of insurance or an unlimited number of other reasons to NOT want to get caught.
Meg Smith says,
Should a car really be moved? Isn’t it potentially part of a crime scene that should be left as found for the authorities?
Denise Crie says,
I was recently ‘side-swiped’ by a speed freak on the freeway. The car was gone before I had a chance to write down the license plate number. What is your recommendation for what I should have done?
Sagu Baraik says,
Save yourself a lot of hassle , money and time just drive by the accident. I tried to be a good samaritan one time and all it got me was a court subpoena and the loss of a days pay.
Dick Nibler says,
DON’T GET INVOLVED. Next thing you know the lawyers will be harassing you, and you will be served a subpoena to testify in court. I need to get paid for my time.
Anthony Aaron says,
Since about 99.99999999% of you have smart phones – take as many pictures as you can of the scene.
If the drivers have not exited their vehicles, take pictures of both driver seat occupants. I’ve had friends who’ve been hit by foreign drivers who have switched places with their passengers so that they wouldn’t be busted for driving either under the influence or without a license or without insurance. Lots of room for fraud there – and it goes on every day.
Calvin D Lanier says,
Thanks for this information.
E Christina Dabis says,
Thank you for all of that advice. I had never thought about a step-by-step plan. I’m sure glad that YOU DID! I’m printing this and putting it in each vehicle.
Catherine Orcutt says,
Great information. Thank you.
Kathryn Fleming says,
Moving vehicles, if possible, is actually required by law in many states. Fender benders don’t need to block driving lanes. But before moving vehicles, take pictures of the accident scene.
Pat says,
Good advice…..
Robert Coulter says,
GEICO, Please do not advise people to move vehicles. That determination is up to the responding officers.
Pat says,
Sometimes, those in the vehicle are in danger by a speeding or texting driver not paying attention to the stopped vehicle ahead. This is the case even with the hazards on, but accident victims are so preoccupied that they often forget to put them on. They are at great risk of being hit if parked by a curve, or in inclement weather, or even just at nighttime…So it seems that it is good advice to move the car if drivable since first responders take time to get to the scene……..
Veronica says,
Thank you
Phil Dynan says,
This is great advice. I did this EXACTLY as posted here. A week after the accident I witnessed a policewoman came to my house (in woodland, CA) and asked me to relate what I had done at the scene. She was pretty unpleasant – as if I had done something wrong. So I have often wondered if I did – this blog confirms I did the right thing. It was a 12 car accident caused by a drunk driver and pretty complicated mess.
Pat says,
I’m sorry for the way the cop treated you and thank you for helping out. I’m sure the victims are grateful too….
Walter Bryan says,
Tell me more about this mobile app. Is this something that is provided by Geico or can it be found on my phone?
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I received a text message that allowed me to download the app to my phone. I have an Android phone, and I was also able to find the app in the Google Play store (similar to the iPhone’s App Store).
It did not come pre-installed to my phone, but it was very easy to add to my phone, and it makes my interactions with Geico very easy. I can view my policy details, my payment schedule and history, and I can chat with a Geico agent all through the app.