What do you do when you witness a car accident? A question most of us would rather not entertain. Especially, if you are like most human beings, the unsettling sight of blood is something you’d rather not deal with. Still, assume you have the misfortune of witnessing one. The virtue of humanity within us won’t just let you just walk away, now would it?

Here’s What to Do When You Witness a Car Accident

So, as soon as you get over the shock, you need to compose yourself. Contrary to what you may believe, there is no hurry, as a South Carolina car accident lawyer clarifies. There is absolutely no legal obligation for you to do anything at the moment.

However, you taking action could literally save someone’s life; therefore, you will need to make an executive decision. If you have the stomach for it, this article is for you. And it outlines several things you can do when you witness a car accident.

What to Do if You Witness a Car Accident

1. Ensure Your Safety

According to the purpose of this article, this may sound counterproductive, doesn’t it? However, it goes without saying that you cannot help anyone else if you are not doing great yourself. Therefore, pull over to safety if you are driving or keep your distance if you are walking by.

Once you are safe, wait for all the chaos to die down, approach the scene, and be careful to leave enough room for first responders to reach the scene. It would also be in your best interest to look out for signs of smoke or leakage from the vehicles involved. You wouldn’t want to be engulfed in flames on top of all that now, would you?

2. Contact 911

According to NENA, even if you are unsure whether the situation calls for an emergency, contact 911. Let the responders decide what the next course of action should be. After all, you are only doing your due diligence. The only thing you should worry about is giving the details of the accident, like time and location.

3. Make a Police Statement

An eyewitness account is essential, especially if you are dealing with a hit-and-run. Be sure to give the police an in-detail narration of the events that took place. This might just be the nail in the coffin for the liable party. And we want justice to prevail, right? Also, keep an open mind and offer your contact details to aid in investigations or follow-up questions.

4. Offer Support

It is good practice to determine whether the accident victims require any assistance as soon as you safely get to the scene. If you are conversant with first aid, check to see if there is anything you can do, such as minimizing bleeding. If anything seems fine on the surface, you can aid the victims with a cell phone to reach their friends and family. A little really goes a long way.

5. Be Careful

You may have the best intentions in the world, but that doesn’t mean that everyone around you will match your energy. Be cautious, especially in accident scenes where tempers have the tendency to flare. Do your part to help the victims, and issue statements to the police. Also, keep calm. If guilty drivers want to flee the scene, just take down their vehicle details and do not exert force.

Do Your Due Diligence and Stay Safe

Car accidents are upsetting, to say the least. The victims obviously suffer from shock, pain, and loss. On the other hand, though their plight isn’t shown a lot, witnesses also suffer tremendous stress. Try as much as possible to remain clear-headed because that could literally be what saves a person’s life or holds someone accountable.