What to do When Witnessing a Car Accident

Accident Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are an estimated 5.6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. This number is growing as more and more people depend on cars as their primary source of transportation. Considering there are an estimated 200 million cars currently in use in the U.S. each and every day, 5.6 million might not seem as big. However, these accidents can have devastating effects on victims lives for the foreseeable future. It is important to know what to do to help if you are ever in the position to witness a crash.

What To Do After A Car Accident?

After an accident, many individual will be in shock because they the accident wasn’t expected. The shock can impair those around the crash as well as the ones involved in the accident. As a bystander, it is your duty to do what you can to either help or not make the situation worse. Cars can be hazardous after an accident because it is unsure if all of the safety equipment is still working and what has been compromised within the vehicle. Before you do anything, make sure to call 911, do not assume someone else is already calling unless they explicitly say so.

Emergency Assistance and Support

The next thing you should do is to survey the scene. Surveying the scene can either be from inside of your vehicle or outside of your vehicle if you feel safe. When calling 911, it is imperative to have as many details as possible to provide to the operator so that the proper amount of people and equipment is brought. You will need to look for potential hazards, such as fires, leaking fluids, injured passengers, etc. Try to get help for the victims if you are comfortable or find someone who is because every second is a factor in these situations.

Staying Clear of the Accident

After witnessing an accident, you could be in shock, depending on the severity. If you aren’t comfortable helping, then you should do your part not to make the situation worse. A firetruck and ambulance will need to have a clear path to the accident to help; you should move your car out of the way of the emergency vehicles. Some accidents can be more dangerous because they could involve a large tanker that has an unknown chemical. Keep a safe distance till you know it is safe.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact Rob Levine & Associates to be your trusted car accident lawyer!