Accident reporting protocol

[Plaid Adder]

I drive a long way to work, so every once in a while I see an accident happen. What I usually do is pull over, call to report the accident, and then go to the car wherever it wound up to see if the person is OK. So far, luckily, I have never witnessed an accident where someone was seriously injured; usually it's just that they're shaken up and the car is a mess. Anyway, I usually wait with them until the police show up.

I do this because I figure that I would want someone to do that for me if I were in an accident. However, I have to say, I don't know what I would do if the person _was_ seriously hurt, because I don't know first aid or CPR or anything like that. Given my lack of lifesaving skills, would it make more sense for me to report the accident and then keep driving so as not to clutter up the accident scene, or is it still worth it to go check on the driver, even if there's nothing I would be able to do for him?

Just wondering,

The Plaid Adder

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I do the same thing. I wait until help arrives and then I leave.

Only one time was somebody seriously injured. I saw the accident, but made no attempt to move her as they say not to because of internal injuries, neck and so forth. I basically stayed to calm her down. I think you are absolutely right to do what you do.

[billyskank]

2. If you want to, probably best to stay until the emergency services arrive

and then ask them if they would rather you left them to it.

Good to see you, Plaidder! :hi:

[Squatch]

3. i saw a huge accident on a country road in which 9

people died. i had no idea whether to shit or go blind. i took an emt course after that just in case i ever see it again

[skygazer]

4. I think you're doing the right thing

At least the person is not alone while they wait for emergency services. And if things were very bad, sometimes the 911 operator can tell you what you might do to help.

I know if I were injured and scared, it would mean a lot just to have someone there.

[xmas74]

5. If it is a very busy section

(like an interstate highway) do not stop! Since you do not know CPR or first aid it is not necessary and you run the risk of injury yourself. This is how multiple accidents occur-drivers stop to assist and other drivers do not slow down, either hitting your vehicle or possibly hitting you. Instead, give all of your info to the dispatcher in case an officer needs to contact you at a later date.

If it is a quieter area, you can stop and talk to the person while giving dispatch updates on their condition(are they able to communicate, complaining of pain in any area, is speech slurred, difficulty breathing, etc). Many states have Good Samaritan laws-meaning you are not responsible for anything that happens while giving assistance if you were doing your best to help out the situation. If the person is not breathing and CPR is needed, a good dispatcher can talk you through the steps of CPR (if you feel up to it) until an officer, fire or medics arrive on-scene.

I'm a former dispatcher and this is the advice that Highway Patrol always told us to give out. I know it sounds callus but they would rather deal w/ one serious injury than the possibility of four or five.

[crispini]

8. This sounds like good advice to me.

You do hear often about how somebody stopped to help and was then injured themselves.

[xmas74]

9. Which is why Highway Patrol advises against

stopping if it is busy.

You have rubberneckers who are so busy trying to get a good look at the accident that they don't see cars pulled over and hit one. We had a highway patrol trooper who died because of this: rubbernecker hit the back of his car while he was in it and the car burst in flames. Then you have those who just don't pay attention and hit someone. You also have those who don't have the common sense or decency to pull into the left lane when they see an accident on the right shoulder and hit someone or their vehicle.

People die every year trying to help someone. If it's a busy road leave it to the professionals. Call 9-1-1 and give them all the pertinent info and they will get someone there ASAP.

[MissMillie]

6. Why not take a course in CPR and First Aid?

it's a handy thing to know....

[tjwmason]

7. I saw an accident once.

It was on a quiet road, a motorcyclist went into the back of a car.

I checked on the driver (who was the closer), she said she was fine (obviously shaken). The cyclist by this point had somebody by him, I called an ambluance and they gave advice down the 'phone.

Once the amulance had arrived, the paramedics took over very quickly. I chatted to the driver a bit to calm her down, but made sure that I kept out of the way, and waited for the police to arrive so I could give my witness statement (I was the main witness, it being a quiet road). A couple of others left a note with their addresses/telephone numbers in case they were needed for a statement.

I think that the main point is not to get in the way - but I'd always leave a means to contact me if I were a witness.