Seeing a car accident happen can be scary and overwhelming. You might want to help right away, but it’s important to stay calm and make safe choices. Whether you’re the first person to arrive or just passing by, there are safe ways to offer help without putting yourself or others in more danger. These tips will help you provide support after a crash in a way that keeps everyone as safe as possible.
Check the Scene for Safety
Before rushing over, take a moment to look around. Make sure it’s safe to stop and get out of your vehicle. Turn on your hazard lights and pull off the road where it’s clear and away from traffic. If you’re in a dangerous spot, such as a curve or a busy highway, stay in your car until it’s safer.
Once you’re out, check the area for any dangers like leaking fuel, broken glass, fire, or moving traffic. Keep a safe distance from the vehicles involved in the crash until you’re sure there’s no immediate risk. Helping is important, but your safety should come first. You can’t help anyone if you get hurt too.
Call 911 Right Away
As soon as you know it’s safe, call emergency services. Dial 911 and clearly explain what you saw. Let them know how many vehicles are involved, if anyone looks hurt, and where the accident happened. The faster help arrives, the better the outcome for everyone involved.
Even if you think someone else already called, it’s okay to make another call. Emergency operators would rather get more than one call than none at all. Stay on the line and answer any questions the operator asks until they tell you it’s okay to hang up.
Offer Comfort, Not Medical Aid (Unless You’re Trained)
If someone is hurt, stay calm and speak gently. Let them know that help is on the way. You can sit nearby or talk to them to help keep them awake and calm. But unless you’re trained in CPR or first aid, don’t try to move them or treat any injuries. Moving someone with a back or neck injury could make things worse.
If you are trained, do what you can to stop bleeding or start CPR if it’s needed. Use gloves or something to protect yourself if possible. If you’re not trained, focus on keeping the person calm and still until paramedics arrive.
Prevent a Second Crash
After the first accident, the area can still be dangerous. Other drivers might not see the crash in time to slow down. You can help prevent another accident by making the scene more visible. Turn on your hazard lights, place road flares if you have them, or wave at oncoming traffic from a safe distance to slow them down.
Never stand in the road or too close to the vehicles. Always keep your distance and make sure you’re not creating more risk. If there are other people helping, work together to stay visible and safe.
Collect Basic Information and Stay as a Witness
If you’re able to, gather helpful details while you wait. Take pictures of the crash scene, including damage to the vehicles, skid marks, and street signs. If there are other witnesses, write down their names and phone numbers in case police need to contact them later.
You should also stay at the scene until officers arrive. They may ask you what you saw, and your statement could help them understand how the crash happened. Your information could also help the people involved if they need to file insurance claims or go to court later.
Stay Calm, Stay Safe, and Help When You Can
Helping after a car accident can make a big difference, but it’s important to do it safely. Check for danger, call 911, provide comfort—not treatment—unless you’re trained, and protect the scene from further accidents. If you’re a witness, your account may help someone recover damages and find justice. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash and needs to speak with an accident lawyer, call (702) 970-4222 for support and guidance from a legal team who knows how to help.
