Many of us have witnessed fender benders and other minor accidents while on the road. Other have witnessed much worse. Whether or not to help depends both on the severity of the accident and your own conscience. If you do decide to help after witnessing a car accident, here are a few suggestions.
Don't Make Things Worse
If possible, park a good distance away from the accident while making sure you are not the cause of another one. Stay calm and focus on your safety and that of those around you. If you need to park on the side of the road, put your hazard lights on.
If possible, park a good distance away from the accident while making sure you are not the cause of another one. Stay calm and focus on your safety and that of those around you. If you need to park on the side of the road, put your hazard lights on.
Assess the Damage
Are the airbags inflated? Is anyone moving or getting out of the vehicle? Do you see smoke or flames? While you may feel obligated to jump out and help right away, your own safety could be at risk by getting any closer to the vehicles in question. Try to assess the accident from a safe distance.
Are the airbags inflated? Is anyone moving or getting out of the vehicle? Do you see smoke or flames? While you may feel obligated to jump out and help right away, your own safety could be at risk by getting any closer to the vehicles in question. Try to assess the accident from a safe distance.
Call 911
If it appears that someone is injured or might be in danger of further injury, call 911 immediately. Every second counts.
If it appears that someone is injured or might be in danger of further injury, call 911 immediately. Every second counts.
Offer Assistance with Caution
If it looks safe, do what you can to help the drivers. Do not perform medical treatment unless you are a trained medical professional. If someone is having a hard time moving, do not attempt to move them. Make sure the vehicles are in "park" and the ignition is turned off. This will help prevent a fire. If possible and necessary, help move the vehicles away from traffic. If that's not an option, use other means to warn traffic of the accident, such as traffic cones.
If it looks safe, do what you can to help the drivers. Do not perform medical treatment unless you are a trained medical professional. If someone is having a hard time moving, do not attempt to move them. Make sure the vehicles are in "park" and the ignition is turned off. This will help prevent a fire. If possible and necessary, help move the vehicles away from traffic. If that's not an option, use other means to warn traffic of the accident, such as traffic cones.
Stay at the Scene Until Help Arrives
Wait for the police to arrive and give them your statement. Be as accurate and descriptive as possible. If you have an idea of who caused the accident, only discuss this with the police, not the people involved. If you have any relevant medical information for the EMTs, let them know.
Wait for the police to arrive and give them your statement. Be as accurate and descriptive as possible. If you have an idea of who caused the accident, only discuss this with the police, not the people involved. If you have any relevant medical information for the EMTs, let them know.
Leaving the Scene
Just as you arrived, make sure you leave the scene without putting yourself or others in danger. Over the coming days and weeks, you might receive a phone call from authorities. Make yourself available to answer any further questions.
Just as you arrived, make sure you leave the scene without putting yourself or others in danger. Over the coming days and weeks, you might receive a phone call from authorities. Make yourself available to answer any further questions.
If you've been injured in a car accident, call us today at (904) 620-9545 to meet with Alisa Wilkes. As a Jacksonville auto accident lawyer, Alisa and her legal team will visit you on-site, at your home, or even in the hospital. We don't want you to have to forever worry about insurance or medical costs, especially if your injury is life-altering. Our job is to get you the compensation your rightfully deserve. We change the way people think about lawyers.