The chances of witnessing a fender-bender or auto accident are pretty good. More than 7 million accidents occur in America every year resulting in 2 million injuries and 40,000 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). How you react when coming across one depends on the circumstances.
Approach The Scene At Your Peril
The most important rule: do not put yourself in danger. Excessive smoke, flames, and even combustion may follow an accident and you do not want to make a bad situation worse by putting yourself in harms way. So until you are certain that the scene is safe, do not approach any of the vehicles involved. In fact, you might consider keeping yourself at a safe distance until professionals arrive.
What To Do
If you suspect or know that an individual or individuals have been injured, call 911 immediately. If you believe that it’s safe to approach those who have been injured, you can try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. This can be achieved by talking to them and getting them to converse with you until help arrives.
Dealing With Law Enforcement & Insurance Companies
Be prepared to give your name and version of what you saw to the police. If possible, take notes prior to their arrival, as you may be called upon to help them reconstruct what happened at the scene. For example, if one of the parties is dishonest about what happened your information can actually help the victim by giving a recorded statement to his/her attorney. In some cases, an insurance company may call you for an interview. Best practice: do not speak with them until after consulting with a lawyer.
It’s important to be honest about what you saw and how much you saw, as sometimes the only evidence left at a scene come from eyewitnesses. Attorneys representing victims rely heavily on this kind of information in order to bring proper justice. Keep in mind, too, that depositions, if you’re asked to give one, are official court statements and can e recalled at trial. Be as transparent and honest as possible to avoid possibly perjuring yourself.
Hit and Run Scenarios
If you actually witness a hit and run, you should not attempt to confront nor chase the driver who committed the act. Instead, try to write down or memorize the make/model of the vehicle, as well as its license plate number, and call 911 immediately! Also, if safety allows, you can approach the victim and provide any information you may have to them about the other driver.
Do I Need To Hire A Lawyer As A Witness?
No. You do not need to hire a lawyer if you only witnessed the above scenarios. However, if your car was damaged or if you were injured in the process of helping the victims it can get complicated. In that case, you will want to contact an attorney but only as a victim.
If you have any further questions concerning what to do as a witness to an auto accident, contact an attorney immediately.
