Important Things to Do if You Witness a Personal Injury Accident

When you're involved in an auto accident, there are several things you can do to minimize damage and keep yourself and others safe. Here are some tips to follow:

If you see a vehicle accident, it is important to ensure your safety first. Pull off the road at least 100 ft away from the crash site and turn on your hazards. This gives you plenty of room to safely approach the scene. Avoid getting too close to the vehicle because there could be leaking gas fumes or debris flying around.

Never assume that someone else already contacted emergency responders about a crash. You could save lives.

Even if the wreck doesn't seem serious, it's important to call 911. If there are injuries, it's better to let the dispatcher know what happened and where the incident occurred. This way, emergency personnel can respond quickly and efficiently.

A car accident victim might seem like just another statistic on the news. But behind every story is a real human being whose life has changed forever. And while the initial response to a traffic collision is often one of confusion and fear, there are things you can do to ensure the safety of yourself and others involved.

Once you've ensured that it is safe to approach the scene and see if anyone needs assistance, check on the condition and well-being of those involved. If they're conscious, ask about their health and whether they require immediate attention. You can also take note of where they are bleeding and whether they're wearing seat belts.

If you notice anything suspicious, such as blood coming out of someone's mouth, nose, or ears, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to clean up the scene unless instructed to do so by emergency responders.

While this can be an emotionally draining time, try to keep calm and stick to the facts. Remember that this is not the appropriate time to assess blame or judge the actions of the other party. Instead, focus on providing aid and comfort to those affected.

The best thing you can do if you're involved in a collision is to stabilize the vehicles as quickly as possible. There are several things you can do to make sure everyone gets out safely.

First, call 911. Make sure the people inside the cars know what's happening and where they should go.

Next, check to see if there are any injuries. If someone needs medical attention, take care of them immediately.

If the accident isn't serious enough to warrant immediate treatment, try to prevent additional damage to the vehicles. Turn off the ignition and lock the doors.

If the vehicles are still moving, use whatever tools you have to stop them. Set up flares or traffic triangles around the scene to alert motorists of the danger.

When the police arrive, provide them with the relevant facts about the incident and your contact information. This includes the location where the crash occurred, the direction the vehicles are traveling, the speed limit, road conditions, weather conditions, etc. If possible, take photos of the damage done to both vehicles.

In the days and weeks following an accident, you may be contacted by legal and medical authorities as well as insurance claims agents. These people will want to know how the accident happened and what caused it. They may ask questions such as: What did you see? Who was driving? How fast were you traveling? Where were you coming from? Were there any obstructions on the roadway? Did you see anyone else involved in the collision?

The best way to deal with a car accident is to remain calm, be truthful, and be factual. Do not embellish the story or makeup anything. You don't want to cause yourself or others further harm.

If you're able to safely exit your vehicle, do so immediately. Don't wait around to be rescued. There could be someone trapped inside. If you're unable to safely exit your vehicle due to injuries or because another person is injured, call 911.

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC will take over the case from the very beginning and make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will help you recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses due to the accident. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.