Witnessing a car accident can be extremely stressful. The more time you spend driving on the road, the more likely you are to be a bystander to a crash at some point. Here is a step-by-step guide to helping the victims of a sudden car crash.

Stay Safe

If you witness a car accident on the road ahead of you while you’re driving, it’s important that you pull over to a safe area before attempting to help anyone else. Try to find a place that is far enough away to ensure that emergency vehicles have enough room to park. Once you feel you are in a secure location, turn your hazard lights on. If you are on a busy freeway or if the involved vehicles are smoking, stay in your car and keep your distance.

Call for Help

Call 911 as soon as possible, as it is likely that someone could be injured in the car accident. Be ready to give your location and describe the accident scene to emergency services.

Assist with Caution

If you have carefully assessed the situation and believe that there is no danger, approach the accident to see how you may be able to help those involved in the accident. Examples include:

  • Offer your cell phone to the victims so they can call their friends or loved ones
  • Provide comfort by reassuring victims that help will be arriving soon
  • Offer to take pictures of the damage to the vehicles

Unless there is a serious risk that one of the vehicles involved in the accident could catch fire, do not move an injured person under any circumstances. This could potentially lead to making the injury worse.

Wait for Police to Arrive 

Car accidents statistics show that the aftermath can be an upsetting situation for everyone involved. Stay on the scene to report what you’ve witnessed to authorities. Your presence may help diffuse a potentially tense situation and prevent an argument between the drivers from happening, especially if one of the parties were driving recklessly prior to the accident.

Give A Statement to Police

When law enforcement and emergency services arrive on the scene, provide your information and any relevant facts about the accident. Following the accident, you may be contacted as a witness by legal and medical professionals or insurance companies. Make sure your statements are factual and consistent.

It is important to remain as calm and clear headed as possible after witnessing an accident. Doing so can make a significant difference in the outcome of the situation and the lives of the accident victims.