Have you ever witnessed a car accident? Did you know what to do or how to react? Automobile wrecks usually happen quickly and sporadically, not leaving much room or time to contemplate or form a plan. There are various actions you can pursue to potentially help the situation at hand. We encourage you to keep reading to view the variety of ways you could possibly offer assistance at a time in need.
Reacting to an Accident
If you happen to witness an accident, you may consider trying one or more of these tips to help create a sense of calmness at the scene:
- Turn on Your Hazards
Of course, this is only possible if you witness the accident from a vehicle and not from a pedestrian’s point of view. If what you witness is a fender bender or a simple collision, then you’re most likely okay to keep traveling. However, if the crash seems more serious (i.e. someone appears to be injured) and you’re the first to the scene, then turn on your hazards to alert other drivers and get ready to help out. - Call 9-1-1
Once you’re parked, make sure you immediately call 9-1-1. Again, quickly access the damage and make sure the situation is greater than just a basic fender bender. You should be able to tell if assistance will be necessary. If you believe a medic or another type of professional assistance is needed, then call for help and accurately describe the scene and be able to give your exact location. - Make Room for Emergency Vehicles
It’s wonderful if you’ve decided to stick around the scene and offer assistance. However, you also need to make room for the professionals (i.e. police, EMTs, etc.). If you’ve decided to stick around to help, make sure you’ve left plenty of room for ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol cars. There most likely won’t be a lot of free space available and you definitely don’t want to be in the way. - Check on the Injured Party
You can check on those who were involved in the accident, but don’t touch or move them. Unless you are qualified to help, it’s important to leave the scene as you’ve found it. You could potentially cause more trouble or damage by moving a victim or by providing specific assistance you’re not trained to give.
Finishing Up
It’s important to remember what you’ve just seen. As a witness, you will be asked to give an account of the accident. Every little detail could be beneficial in concluding what took place or caused the wreck to happen. Though you may need to assist in directing traffic or find some sort of other task to help with, you may find that staying completely out of the way will prove to be most beneficial. After all, once the professionals arrive at the scene, it’s important to let them successfully do their job. However,you can feel satisfied in knowing that you’ve done everything in your power to help out.
