What To Do If You Witness a Car Accident in Florida

Everyone’s been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic because of highway or intersection car accidents. However, witnessing a car accident as it occurs is an entirely different matter - it can incite adrenaline and fear, and cause you to freeze on what to do.

Depending on the circumstances, you want to be prepared to assist other drivers who may be clouded and disoriented from the impact of their car accident.

We have provided some tips for you to be aware of when you are a witness after a car accident.

What To Do When You Witness a Car Accident

There are a few steps you should take right after you witness a car accident in Florida. These steps are designed to ensure both your safety and the well-being of the car accident victims.

It's important to remember that while it may be a routine day for you, it's a traumatic moment for those involved in the auto accident. We aim to equip you with the right knowledge so you can potentially help save lives with compassion.

Make Sure You're Safe

It won’t do you or the drivers involved in the crash any good if you compromise your safety in the process of pulling over. Be sure once you see a crash to take inventory of your surroundings and find a safe place to pull over on the side of the road.

You want to put some distance between you and the accident scene to avoid the dangers of broken glass or leaked fuel. Once you park, turn your hazard lights on, because it will alert any Highway Patrol officials regarding the scene.

Call For Emergency Services

Just like your own safety is the priority, so are the people involved in the auto accident. Before doing anything, ensure 911 has been called and the local authorities are en route to the scene.

Never just assume this has happened, because remember - crash victims can be very disoriented and be emotionally hit just as hard as they were physically. They may need to see a medical professional but not realize it right away due to adrenaline.

Don't Relocate Victims Unless There's a Fire Risk

Don’t try to relocate injured car crash victims unless a car is on fire or there is a risk of an explosion. Moving the parties involved might worsen their injuries, so it is best to always leave first aid and medical care to professionals.

For more minor accidents, you don't have to do much to render aid beyond providing a comforting presence and offering assistance that doesn’t involve medically treating injured people. While you wait for emergency personnel, you can provide the crash victims with blankets or coats if you happen to have them.

Help Move Cars Stuck in the Road

If applicable, try to move cars out of an intersection or onto the side of the highway if they are in danger of another impact. But only do this if the engine is not running and there’s nobody inside of the car.

Document the Scene

When you’re a witness to an accident, documenting the scene can be highly beneficial for both you and the drivers involved in the crash. This includes taking pictures of damages that are both inside and outside of the vehicles involved, as well as any relevant information like contact information from other parties.

Exchange Information

After you make sure that everybody is in safe hands, exchange information with the drivers who were involved in the car crash. If any other witnesses are present at the scene, ask for their personal details as well.

What To Do When Police Arrive at the Car Accident

Provide the Facts & Stay Objective

Stay objective when speaking to authorities, and provide facts and don’t assert judgment or fault - that’s not what you’re there to do.

Provide Your Contact Information

You should also provide your contact information if the authorities need to reach you again. Depending on the severity of the crash, you may have to be talked to again regarding what you saw.

Take Note of the Weather and Your Surroundings

Take note of the weather conditions, and the accident from start to finish as you remember. Write it down after it happened if you need to; this will help you keep facts straight.

Whatever Happens, Stay Calm as a Car Accident Witness

When you pull over, don’t get out to help victims or render aid unless you feel 100% safe doing so. Making sure the police are notified and that the cars are out of harm’s way is important, but only do what you can in car accidents you witness.

We hope this has been helpful in providing insight into being a witness in a car accident. Many times (depending on the situation, as it is on a case-by-case basis), witnesses are invaluable in how car accidents are evaluated by the police since they are objective and have no dog in the fight. In other words, there’s no reason for a witness to lie.

To learn more, check out some of our free resources or feel free to contact us! If you or a loved one needs to file a personal injury claim in Hernando County, we're here to help.