I witnessed an accident. Do I have to stay at the scene?
We’ve talked about what you should do if you’ve been hit by a car… but what exactly should you do if you witness another person get hit by a car? As a responsible citizen, there are various actions that you should take if you see someone involved in a collision. If you take the appropriate steps right away, you could just save a life, or help someone recover the compensation they deserve to achieve a full recovery. Therefore, understanding what steps to take if you witness a car accident is of the utmost importance if you find yourself a witness to a wreck.
Offer assistance and call for help
If you witness a person get hit, you should immediately offer your assistance to ensure they are okay. Even if you are not a trained medical professional, assessing whether or not someone is critically injured is crucial. If you do have proper training, you should offer first aid care if at all possible. Let them know that help is on the way and try to keep them calm. If you haven’t done so already, you should call 911 and request medical assistance ASAP. Provide the dispatcher with information pertinent to the scene, such as location, number of victims, and the types of injuries that are prevalent. Remain at the scene until help arrives.
File a report
Once the police arrive, do not leave until you have had the chance to speak with an officer. You should provide an accounting of what you saw happen and include any important details about what each driver appeared to be doing at the time of the wreck. Your testimony can be crucial in determining fault for the accident, so make sure you are honest. If you don’t know what exactly happened, that is okay, too. Be as honest as possible.
Provide all parties with your information
Once you provide a detailed accounting of what you saw, remember to leave your contact information, including name, phone number, and even your email address with all parties involved. This can be incredibly useful in the event the victim(s), insurance companies, and/or their attorneys wish to contact you for a testimony should the accident advance to a lawsuit.
If third-parties to the accident contact you
If you are contacted by a third-party to the accident, such as an insurance adjuster, investigator, or an attorney, remember to remain honest. Do not let these third-parties guide your reasoning to fit their narrative. Stick to the facts. Do not guess or make assumptions as to what you believe may have happened. Recount what you saw and leave it at that.
In conclusion
Witnessing an accident can be a frightening experience. It is important to remember to stay calm and abide by the following steps:
- Remain calm and check on all parties involved;
- If someone is seriously injured, provide assistance if you are medically trained to do so;
- Call 911. Wait for help to arrive;
- Speak to police once they arrive;
- Stick to the facts; do not assume you know who is at fault if you are not 100 percent certain;
- Provide your contact information to all parties involved.
About our lawyer
At Brian Boyer Injury Firm, our experienced car accident attorney understands the representation you need if you’ve been hit by a car. We have successfully helped hundreds of car accident victims in Las Vegas, NV for over a decade. We know how to structure and build a case that will win, and if the insurance companies refuse to settle, we have not problem taking them to trial. If you have been injured as a result of a car accident, you deserve maximum compensation.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We are available to take your call 24/7. Call 702-514-1414.
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