Witnessing a car accident can be a scary and traumatic experience. Your course of action will be determined mainly by the severity of the accident itself. Even so, there are some necessary steps that you can remember to ensure the safety of yourself and victims. It could help determine what happened and help the victim of the accident prove who was at fault. Here are a few steps to take if you ever witness a car accident:
Don’t Put Yourself in Danger
If you see a car wreck, pull over to the side of the road or where it’s safe. Don’t put yourself in danger by doing so. Always be aware of your surroundings. Make sure there’s no other traffic moving near you if and when you exit your vehicle and be aware of other forms of potential danger, such as broken glass, fires, or smoke.
Call 9-1-1
No matter how severe the wreck seems, always call authorities to the scene. Police officers will be able to help with legal matters, while ambulances will be able to assist if any injury occurred. Sometimes, when two cars crash, a fire can erupt from leaking gas and the heat and pressure of the accident, so a fire team may be necessary as well.
Stay Calm at the Scene
Some car accidents can be very scary to watch, and the aftermath is sometimes even more harrowing. Try to stay calm at the scene by breathing through it. Panicking won’t help anybody. In fact, some people panic even more when other people around them are panicking. Especially if the victim is conscious, you should try to stay strong during the ordeal as you are waiting for emergency services to arrive on the scene.
Don’t Perform Medical Treatment
Unless you’re a certified emergency medic or medical professional, do not attempt to give a victim medical treatment. Some victims could have neck or other injuries that could worsen if handled incorrectly. Don’t touch the victim or attempt to move them because doing so could cause them more harm than good.
Give a Police Statement
If you witness an accident, you should always try to stay behind and give a statement as to what you saw. It will help determine who was at fault from your third-party and outsider perspective or, if a crime was committed which caused the accident, it could help police determine who broke the law and if they need to make any arrests.
If you or anyone you know was involved in a car accident, contact our firm at (610) 492-7155 to discuss your case today.