Have you ever wondered what you should do if you witness a car accident?
Witnessing a car accident can be a traumatic event. Remember, remain calm and keep your wits about you. No one wants a second car accident to take place. America Family Insurance recommends you do the following if you witness an automobile accident:
Safety first! If you’re driving and an accident occurs in front of you, make sure you pull over to a safe area. Try to be far enough away from the accident to leave room for emergency vehicles, and to ensure that you’re not in any danger. Next, put on your hazard lights. Only exit your car if it’s safe. If you’re on a busy highway, for example, it’s probably best if you remain in your vehicle. And, if the cars involved are smoking, definitely keep your distance.
Call for backup. Every second counts in an emergency. Because of this, it’s best to call 911 ASAP if someone is injured. Be prepared to describe the scene, and give your location. Again, make sure your car is parked before you use your cell phone.
Cautiously help out. If you feel it’s safe to get closer to the scene of the accident, head over to see how you might be able to help, perhaps by offering your phone so the victims can call relatives or friends or by setting up road flares to block off the accident area. If you see someone hurt, do not attempt to move them, since that could make their injuries worse. To ensure that those injured receive proper first aid treatment, wait for the authorities to arrive.
Stick around until the police arrive. You can help the authorities and those involved by giving an account of what you witnessed. Or, if someone is hurt or scared, you can act as a source of comfort until someone else arrives.
What Auto Insurance Companies Recommend
(Courtesy of www.amfam.com)
In wanting to highlight information from more than one insurance company, I also went to Geico’s website. After all, obtaining advice from the companies that insure individuals for automobile accidents can be helpful. Once the first responders have arrived, Geico recommends that:
When the police arrive, provide the relevant facts and your contact information. In the days and weeks following the event, someone may contact you as a witness by legal and medical authorities 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.
(Courtesy of www.geico.com)
And finally, but perhaps the most important of all, the Utah Highway Patrol recommends you do the following if you witness an accident:
Stop in a safe location. Check for injuries and call 911 from your cell phone or the nearest regular phone. Keep the situation from getting worse by making sure to warn approaching traffic of the problem ahead. If trained to do so, render first aid. Don’t move the injured parties! Remain on the scene until police arrive. Tell the responding officers what you saw and did before their arrival.
