Car Accident

You Just Saw An Accident. Now What?

By
Posted in Safety, Tips & Tricks

What Should You Do If You See A Car Accident?

If you are unlucky enough to see a car accident (but lucky enough to avoid it yourself) your first thought might be “What do I do now?” It seems like you should have to do something, right? Most states, including Texas, don’t have any rules about whether or not you stick around at an accident you have witnessed. If you are in an accident, you must call the police and fill out an accident report (or else it will be considered a hit-and-run), but as a witness you have options. Keep reading to learn more about what should you do if you see a car accident.

Read More: What Are The Signs of a Staged Accident?

Should I Call 911?

Car AccidentIf you witness an accident, it might be a good idea to call 911, especially if it is a bad accident. In a small fender bender where drivers and passengers are uninjured, presumably one of them will call the emergency line.

Should I Help?

It can be hugely tempting to stop and help people who have been in an accident. However, here are some questions to consider before you do.

  • Can you help safely? – If getting out of your car puts your own life in danger, or might increase the odds of another accident (from someone running into YOU), then it might be best to call for emergency services or stop and put your emergency lights on.
  • Can you actually help? – If someone is struggling to get out of wreckage, or trapped on the side of the road in bad weather it could be great to lend a hand, but in the case of injuries, you should consider whether or not you will be able to help. Great at CPR or a trained medical person? Great, yes, help! But if not, think about if you will be able to help or just add to the confusion.

Can I Get Sued For Helping Someone After An Accident?

Texas has a law called the Good Samaritan Law that says that if you are tying to help someone in good faith, and something goes wrong, they can’t sue you. However, be sure that you are doing your best to help in a given situation.

These are a few things to keep in mind if you see a car accident. We hope they helped!