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What To Do After Witnessing A Car Accident

Sizzling LEO | 3:21 AM | 0 comments

If You Witness a Car Accident, What Should You Do?

Most people are not aware of the incredibly large number of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities that occur every year in the United States:

  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 there were 32,885 motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities in the US.
  • Additionally, there were an estimated 2.24 million injuries as a result of these motor vehicle crashes.
  • Every year in the past there have been at least 10 million auto accidents and in some years more than 13 million.
  • According to projections, there will be at least 10 million more accidents every year.

With so many accidents occurring every year, it is quite likely that you have already witnessed one or more accidents already. And it is even more likely that you will witness one or more accidents in the future. The question is, if you witness a car accident, what are you supposed to do, if anything?

Practical Steps to Follow if You Witness a Car Accident:

  1. If you are in your car and you witness a serious motor vehicle accident, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle(s) – suggestions range from 100 ft. to 1000 ft. – and pull over to the side of the road.
  2. Turn on your emergency blinkers.
  3. If you have a phone, immediately call 911 and report the accident. If you don’t have a phone, ask another person to call 911.
  4. If you have road flares, you may choose to place them several hundred feet in front of and behind the vehicles. Make absolutely sure that the flares do not come into contact with leaking gasoline on the ground. If there is a risk of an explosion from leaking gas, do not light them.
  5. If there is an injured person in a vehicle who cannot get out, or if they are unconscious, many experts recommend not moving the person because of the possible harm that may result. It is usually recommended, if possible, to wait until professional emergency help arrives.
  6. However, if there is a fire and a very likely possibility of an explosion, or if there are other compelling reasons such as intense bleeding, this obviously raises other concerns.
  7. Most jurisdictions have “Good Samaritan Laws” that protect certain persons from liability if they render aid in emergency situations. In some jurisdictions, the Good Samaritan Law protects all persons. In other jurisdictions the Law protects only professionals such as emergency technicians and medical doctors.
  8. Some Good Samaritan Laws actually require a person to offer reasonable aid at the scene of an emergency situation. What is “reasonable aid?” In some circumstances, calling 911 is all that a person can do. Obviously not everyone is capable of offering physical assistance, nor should they.
Other Ways to Offer Help if You Witness a Car Accident:

You may choose to take photographs of the accident scene with your cellphone camera, as well as take notes of what you observed. Record the license plates, makes of cars, persons in the vehicles, and other important points. When help arrives, you may offer this information to the authorities. You may be issued a summons to testify as a witness if there is a future case in court. You also may be questioned by attorneys, insurance adjusters and/or other persons who have a legitimate interest in the accident. Your observations may be of extreme importance to the parties in the case and to law enforcement. Just be as clear and truthful as possible. If you or someone you love is involved in a car accident caused by the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced Dallas accident attorney for a free legal consultation.

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All Legal Law:

My name is Wajeeh . I'm administrator of All Legal Law. This blog is opened for the purpose of Guest Blogging of Law and Constitution.

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