Knowing what to do after witnessing a car accident can help keep you safe, assist the victims and provide an accurate account of the scene. The most important steps to take after you witness an accident include making sure it is safe to approach, lending assistance if possible and calling 911 to report what you saw.
What should I do if I witness an accident?
Witnesses to car accidents can play a critical role in ensuring victim safety and helping law enforcement and claims teams understand what happened. If you witness an accident, your safety takes priority over everything.
Keep these things in mind if you witness an accident:
- Stay out of harm’s way. Before you leave your vehicle, make sure you’re a safe distance from the crash and in an area away from traffic. Put your hazard lights on and observe the presence of any dangers, such as downed power lines or hazardous fluids. If there are, remain in your car until help arrives.
- Help secure the scene. Deploy any flares or emergency triangles to alert others that danger is ahead.
- Call 911. Don’t assume others have called. Report the location, vehicles involved and possible injuries.
- Check on the victims. It’s generally not advisable to move anyone who is injured unless you’re a trained medical professional. Tell them you will wait until first responders arrive and try to reassure them as best as possible.
- Take photos. If it is safe to do so, document the scene by taking photos or videos of the vehicles, damage and road conditions.
- Offer a statement and contact information. If the police arrive, offer a statement. If they don’t give your contact information to those involved, as witness statements are often used by claims adjusters later.
What if I witness an accident on a highway?
Should you witness an accident on the highway, treat it largely the same as one you witness on a local street while being mindful of traffic’s higher speed. This means taking extra precautions when stopping and pulling over to a location, such as the shoulder, that is a good distance away from traffic.
When witnessing an accident on a highway, follow these additional practices to assist the situation and stay safe:
- Slow down gradually as you approach the accident.
- Do not stop in active lanes of traffic.
- Do not cross traffic.
- When reentering the highway, turn your hazard lights off, use your turn signal and make sure there is extra space when you get back on the road.
What to include in a statement
Should you stay to give a statement to police or later offer one to insurance adjusters, your top priority is to provide factual statements, not to speculate or give opinions.
Here’s what can be most helpful to include:
- Explain where you were and what was visible to you. Offer your perspective while acknowledging the limitations of your viewpoint.
- Describe what you observed before the crash, including the weather, road conditions and the events that led to the accident.
- Depict the moment of impact. If you saw the accident, describe the way in which the vehicles collided and include whether you saw any efforts, such as braking or using the horn, to avoid the collision.
- Describe what happened immediately afterwards, including whether a vehicle rolled, spun or left the highway. Also note whether anyone exited their vehicle or if there were any noticeable injuries.
- Add any other relevant details, such as license plates or vehicle descriptions if asked.
The most important thing to remember when giving a statement is to provide a fact-based account that can be useful to police or insurance companies as they investigate.
What if I’m in an accident?
If you’re ever involved in an accident, many of the steps are the same. You can learn what you should do by reading “What to Do After an Accident.”
Accidents are unpleasant. But when you’re with ERIE, you won’t be alone. Your agent and our claims team will be there for you every step of the way to offer guidance and support. This comes standard with every policy.
Talk to a local ERIE agent to get a quote or review your auto coverage today.
