OMG…Did You See That Crash?

Seeing a crash can be a harrowing experience, especially if you’ve just missed it yourself. Your first instinct may be to pull over and help. But should you get involved? If so, to what extent? Are you obliged by law to stop or give a statement? Even if you’re the first eye witness to an accident, there is no legislation in any state that requires you to pull over or come forward. But there is a moral obligation in offering assistance and your input could make things go smoother for all parties involved. As an eye witness and first responder, you could also change someone’s life. Some people fear they could make injuries worse if they try to help people or get sued if they make a bad situation worse. But with accidents that result in injuries, seconds of time could tip a scenario from serious to life threatening. People are also concerned that getting involved will take up too much of their time and are apprehensive about handing over their personal information to authorities. While no one wants to be inconvenienced, as an eye witness, your involvement can tip the scales of justice. If you put yourself in their shoes, you would be glad to have a third-party account of what took place.

If you do witness an accident, here are some tips to be helpful on the scene:

• Pull over where it’s safe.

You can’t help anyone if you get injured. Turn on your hazards, assess the area, and pull over leaving enough distance between your car and the scene of the crash to allow for emergency vehicles.