What to do if you witness a car accident

What to do if you witness a car accident -

Approximately 5.4 million car accidents occur in the US each year. You may know what to do if you are involved in a car accident. But do you know what to do if you witness a car accident?

Witnesses to car accidents can play an essential role to ensure the safety of victims. They can also play a key role in helping the police and insurance adjusters to get the right story line.

6 things to do if you witness a car accident

• Get out of danger. Prior to offer you assistance, make sure that you are a safe distance from the accident and in a safe place where other drivers can avoid you. Turn on your hazard lights. Before leaving your car, make sure there are no hazards such as downed power lines, broken glass or hazardous fluids. If there is, stay in your car to the finish.

• help secure the scene. If you have flares or emergency triangles, use them to warn others that the danger is ahead. (An exception is if there is a fuel leak, jump rockets.)

• Call 911. Even though the accident might not seem so wrong, it is best to call 911 and inform them of what happened.

• Check on the victims. Unless you are a qualified medical professional and the situation is urgent, it is better not to move someone who is injured. This often causes more harm than good. Instead, let them know that help is on the way. A kind, reassuring voice can help nerves steady victims during a stressful time.

• Take some pictures. Victims may not be able to take pictures, so take if it is safe to do so. You may be prompted for them later by victims, insurance adjusters and / or law enforcement.

• Tell a statement and / or provide your contact information. If the police arrive, stick around to make a statement of what you witnessed. If they do not, give your contact information to the persons concerned. Witnesses to car accidents are often required by insurance adjusters later.

If your car is one that has been damaged, it is a good idea to call your insurance company ASAP to report the claim. Erie Insurance maintains a 24/7 online without cost to point out the claims.

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