What to Do if You Witness a Car Accident

In an automobile accident, you should stay calm and try to avoid panic. You need to assess the situation and determine if any other cars are involved. If you see someone who needs immediate medical attention, call 911 or another emergency number. Do not move the injured person unless it is absolutely necessary. Stay away from the vehicle as long as possible.

Don't drive into an accident if you see it first. Pullover as far away as possible, then turn on your hazards. This will help avoid any potential damage to your vehicle.

Don't assume that someone else called 911. Call 911 yourself. When witnessing a car crash, you should first check to see if the driver needs help. If he does, call 911. Be prepared to describe the scene and give your location. Also, make sure your car isn't in gear when using your cell phone.

When approaching a car crash scene, first ensure the safety of the people involved. Check on the condition of the passengers and offer assistance if needed. Don't move the victim unless necessary. Even though you may feel bad about the situation, don't say anything about who was at fault.

If the accident is minor, then you should be able to get out of your car without any problems. You may want to call 911 if there is someone else involved in the accident. You should also try to stay away from the vehicle until the police arrive.

When the police arrive, provide your name and contact info. In the days and weeks after the event, you may get calls from legal and medical authorities and insurance claims agents. Be truthful, factual, and consistent. Don't leave the scene unless it is safe to do. You'll need to help with the investigation and help the victims. Your clear-headed actions can make a huge difference in the outcome.

Witnesses should first take care of themselves. They should breathe deeply and stay calm until help arrives. People who are involved in accidents usually need immediate medical attention.

Put on your hazard lights, and drive slowly but safely out of the scene of the accident. You should stay far enough away from the crash to avoid being trapped by traffic. Be careful about pulling off the road. Wait until emergency personnel arrives before leaving your car. If there are other drivers still on the road, tell them what happened.

If you feel it's safe, get close to the scene of the car crash. You may be able to provide aid by First asking the victim if they're hurt or need assistance. Offer your phone so the victim can call relatives or friends, set up road flares from your car emergency kit to block off the accident area, and make sure that people who are injured receive proper first aid. Don't try to move an injured person because doing so could worsen their condition. Wait for the authorities to arrive before trying to help. Helping the police is an important thing to do. You can give an account of what happened, or if someone was hurt or scared, you could act as a source of support until another person arrived. Once the police arrive you may be asked for your contact details in case there’ll be any follow-up questions.

In more tense situations, especially when someone is driving recklessly or negligently, witnesses should report the incident to the police. Witnesses may also need to provide statements to the police. Stay safe, and try to stay cool.

When a car crashes, the driver may be injured or killed. In order to avoid this outcome, drivers should know how to handle a car crash situation. Drivers should also understand what type of coverage they need to protect themselves.

Don't try to help out unless you're sure you know what you're doing. Make sure you follow the correct procedures before entering the scene of an accident. Be careful when dealing with injured people who may need your help.

Don't feel like you have to stop when you see accidents. You may be helping victims, but you also might be putting yourself in danger. Make sure you're in a safe place after witnessing an accident. Avoid driving near the crash site. Be aware of pedestrians and other drivers who may be in harm's way. When an ambulance arrives, call 911. Don't go to the scene until the police arrive. Do not try to help people who may be injured or dead. You could get hurt. Wait for the police to arrive before going to the scene. Don't give medical help until needed. Try to be helpful by offering other forms of help. This includes calling friends or family members, giving them a kind word, or providing them with a means of communication (a cell phone, a pen, and paper).

Don't fear liability. In the case of an accident, Texas law protects you if you're helping someone who needs medical attention. You won't be held responsible for any injuries or property damage. Be cautious though. This is a dangerous scene, and you should take care of yourself before getting involved. Don't let drivers leave the scene of an accident. Keep yourself safe by staying put until help arrives. Be cooperative with the police. Record information about the car and license plate number. Drivers should be careful when they drive because they might cause accidents. Witnesses who were there at the time of an accident should give statements after they leave the scene. This information can help investigators figure out what caused the accident.

Hit-and-Run accidents are very dangerous. If you see someone driving recklessly, call 911 right away. Helping victims of hit-and-runs can be useful because it helps the police identify the guilty party. Speculating about the fault is never appropriate unless you're certain who was responsible for an accident. Don't guess at the answers to any questions. Stick to the facts as you understand them. Don't be pressured into answering every question asked. Be honest and complete when giving your account of what happened. Witnesses should prepare themselves to go to court if needed. Witnesses should agree to give statements if asked by the police or attorneys involved in the case. Witnesses should also not ignore subpoenas. Failure to do so could result in them being held in contempt of the court. Ask for help from an attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, if you get into trouble. Don't be afraid to step in and try to help others. You could become a victim of a car crash or other type of accident. If you do, seek help from a lawyer. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com.