If you are a witness to a car accident in California then there are a few steps you can take. Many people don’t have the first idea of what to do. They may see the accident, keep driving, and hope that someone else calls the police. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we’ve helped enough victims of car accidents to tell you that there are a number of things you can do that can help everyone involved.
If you see an accident pull over
If an accident happens right in front of you, immediately pull completely off the road but make sure to keep a safe distance from the accident. Remember that when emergency personnel are called, they need to be able to see the accident and to stop near it so they can quickly get to anyone who’s been injured. As a result, we recommend stopping past the accident and not before it.
Look for injured people
First and foremost, look to see if anyone is injured. Of course you’ll check obvious places like inside the vehicles, but remember that if people weren’t wearing their seatbelts they can easily have been thrown from the vehicle. Check any tall grass or bushes to see if there’s an injured person in them.
Call 9-1-1 or ask someone else to
It’s important that someone call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. If another person has stopped to help while you’re looking for injured people, then ask them to call. Be sure that whoever calls the police is ready to give the following information:
- The location of the accident, including cross streets or the on/off ramp if you’re on the freeway.
- How many people need help. If you can give information on their status – if they’re bleeding, unconscious, etc. that can be helpful too. If there are numerous vehicles involved then emergency personnel may need to have several ambulances come.
Never hang up first. The emergency dispatcher will end the call when they’ve gotten the information they needed.
Use flares or emergency triangles if applicable
Flares and emergency triangles can help ensure that other drivers slow down and more accidents aren’t caused by drivers coming up on the accident quickly. However, if you see that gas is leaking or you smell fumes, don’t use flares! They can react with gas and cause an explosion.
Helping anyone that isn’t walking or talking
It’s essential that you not move a person who was injured in a car accident unless they are in immediate danger. Remember that if you move someone incorrectly, you could actually make their injury worse. However, you can speak to them, assure them that help is on the way, and provide whatever comfort you can.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident or a loved one has, then you need to contact a California personal injury attorney. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we know how stressful these situations can be and we are here to make it easier. Call us today at 909-982-0707 for a free consultation.
