You Witnessed a Car Accident. Now What?

Car accidents happen suddenly, and they can cause your adrenaline to kick into overdrive, especially if one happens just a few cars ahead of you. The scene may be chaotic and stressful, causing you to feel confused and uncertain about what you should do next. Many people who observe an accident or experience a close call of their own have an impulse to get away from the area as quickly as possible.

This flight response is very natural, but it’s important to stay calm and keep yourself safe. As a witness, you can have a significant impact on any personal injury case that develops as a result of the accident.

Here are several steps you should take if you see a motor vehicle collision.

Find a Safe Place to Stop

As soon as you witness a car accident, stop your car as soon as possible. If the accident prevents you from pulling over to the side of the road, find an area that is clear of the accident and out of the flow of traffic.

Contact Emergency Personnel

Never assume that someone else will take care of calling for help. Call 911 or the appropriate authorities and notify them that a car accident has occurred. Be prepared for the emergency operator to ask you the location of the accident. Look for road signs or major landmarks so you can give the operator an accurate location. If you observe injuries, relay this information to the operator.

Don’t Interfere with Emergency Personnel

At the same time, it’s important to stay clear of the accident to allow emergency vehicles to enter the scene. Once they have arrived, stay back so that medical personnel, police officers, and other officials can tend to anyone hurt in the accident.

Give an Accurate Statement

The reports of eyewitnesses can be incredibly important in a personal injury case. Your description of the accident may help an injured person receive the compensation he or she deserves. In most situations, a police officer will write down your observations, along with your contact information.

James “Jim” Nugent: Your Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

I’ve worked hard to build a reputation as one of Connecticut’s premier lawyers advocating for injury victims’ rights, getting results for my clients for over 30 years. If you have suffered a personal injury or catastrophic injury, call me today at (203) 795-1111 for a free consultation.