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What to Do if You Witness a Car Crash

7 Steps to Take if You Witness a Car Accident

You could be driving down the road on the way to take part in an activity that is normal in your everyday life  when something out of your normal daily routine happens – you witness an accident. Now you have a choice to make – do you continue driving onto your destination or do you stop and do what you can to help the parties involved in the accident? This is more of a moral question as legally, you have the right to do either. However, if you decide to stop and do what you can to lend a helping hand, there are certain steps you should take to prevent further harm to the situation. Below, our expert team of car accident attorneys from West Coast Trial Lawyers break down what witnesses should do to support the victims of a car accident.

What to Do if You Witness a Car Accident

What to Do if You Witness a Car Accident

Being a witness does not make it mandatory for you to stop and assist those who are involved in a car accident. However, if you choose to do this, you may help save a person’s life, hold the responsible party accountable, and build a claim or case for the victim(s). Here are some steps you can take if you are a witness to a car accident and would like to lend out a helping hand:

  1. Pull over at a safe distance from the scene of the accident. Before taking any action to aid those involved in a car accident, it is imperative to pull your vehicle over at a safe distance, turn off your ignition and stabilize yourself. Take a deep breath, then do what you have to do to assist those involved in the accident. However, you must put your safety first, avoid confrontations with anyone involved, and only do what you can to assist victims if they need immediate attention.
  2. Call 911. This is a vital step. Once the police officers arrive at the scene of the accident, they will file an official police report. This document can play an important role in proving who is at-fault for causing the car accident.
  3. Offer your assistance to anyone who needs it. If you see that there is someone in critical need of medical assistance while you all wait for medics to arrive, offer what you can, but be sure to take the appropriate steps concerning the injury. You should not try to move somebody who is in critical condition or passed out, as doing so can cause further damages to injuries. What you can do is offer your support and comfort to them while they are awaiting assistance. However, if you see someone bleeding profusely, you can offer what cloth material you can to wrap around the wound and apply pressure to help stop the bleeding.
  4. Inspect the other vehicles, if needed. You should check on the other drivers and/or passengers to see if they might be injured. It is also important to make sure that the engine of a vehicle is placed in park mode and the ignition is turned off. Doing this will reduce the chances of an oil spill, which could result in an explosion or fire.
  5. Make sure no vehicles involved leave the scene of the accident before exchanging information. It is important that the parties involved exchange insurance and contact information so that they can file accident insurance claims. However, some people might find a way to flee the scene of an accident before doing that.
  6. Make a statement and leave your contact information. When police arrive, state what you witnessed in the accident and provide your contact information. This will go on file and can assist any parties involved in filing an accident insurance claim. You could be called on by an attorney if a lawsuit is filed. You may potentially testify in court, as well.
  7. Photograph the crash and make a note of the license plate numbers that were involved in the accident. It is important to do this step because it will show proof of the amount of drivers involved in the accident.

These are the seven steps you should take in the case that you witness an accident. While it might seem burdensome to take on this responsibility, it is a moral duty to help others and support them in their time of need. Witnesses play a key role in helping victims of injuries from car accidents recover well and get the financial compensation they deserve.

Need a Car Accident Attorney? West Coast Trial Lawyers Can Help

If you have sustained injuries in the as a result of a car accident, our experienced team of car accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at (213) 927-3700 or email [email protected] to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate expert personal injury legal team.

Read More About Car Accidents

Our excellent team of car accident attorneys have created several resources for you to read through. Feel free to browse these topics and read the ones you would like to learn about more.

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If you have been injured in an accident, you can count on the legal team at West Coast Trial Lawyers to fight for your rights every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney.
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