by "Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
Published 01/01/2017 at 10:26
by "Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
Published 01/01/2017 at 10:26
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STARS: 1
Last night, I came across a couple of cars that must have hit each other no more than two minutes before I came by, so I stopped to ask if everyone was okay and make sure 911 had been called. I also stood by a blind corner motioning for the cars coming to slow down, since one of the wrecked vehicles was blocking their lane with no working lights. I left as soon as a fire truck finally arrived, but it got me wondering... What’s the right time to leave in a situation like this? If I’d witnessed the crash, I would stay until the police were able to talk to me about it, but I didn’t have anything to tell anyone. In this specific scenario, I was at least helping to prevent another wreck from happening, but if everyone had safely pulled over, what would be the right time to get out of there? It would feel kind of weird just stopping and then leaving right away after establishing that nobody is hurt, but at the same time, it would feel weird to stay after that as well.
As a side note, what’s the protocol for touching the cars? The one with no lights was left running, but the radiator was split open and it was losing all of its coolant. I had no idea where the driver was, and I would have asked him first if I could, but I was about to go open it up and shut it off when the fire truck showed up. I’m just worried that the engine would seize up or something after I turned it off and then the owner would try to sue me for damaging his car, or something. I realize that 99% of people aren’t that heartless, but there’s always a chance...
"McMike" (mcmike)
01/01/2017 at 10:42, STARS: 2
I would probably just do what you did. Turn cars off, turn on lights or emergency flashers, light some flares if needed.
After making sure everyone was OK, and 911 had already been called.
Rarely happens, though. Most accidents I see aren’t that fresh.
"Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
01/01/2017 at 10:42, STARS: 1
I’ve witnessed an accident, called 911 as I’ve pulled over, then left as soon as everyone was OK. I called local cops to let them know I witnessed said accident if they want info, and have had them contact me via phone for a statement. If people are OK, no reason to hang around unless you’re doing exactly what you did with the blind corner (good work!).
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
01/01/2017 at 11:22, STARS: 4
I witnessed and accident a few years ago. It was actually a hit and run, and the lady had never been involved in an accident before.
There was a car tailgating me for about 5 miles in an area where lots of businesses had driveways onto the right lane of a two lane road, so I stayed in the left lane to keep a clear path for merging cars. Guy behind me cant handle my pace, flies around me and plows right into the back of a crossover that just merged onto the highway.
The lady in the crossover is freaking out when I parked in front of her. I stay there, have her call 911, and I waited for the cop to show up. Since she was rear ended, she wasnt totally sure of what exactly just happened, so I tell the cop what I saw, describe the vehicle that ran, and I just got back in my car and waited for the cop to tell me I could go.
The lady wasnt that old, maybe in her early 30s, and must have lived locally because her parents arrived really fast. My windows were down, it was almost summertime, so whatever. When her parents walked past my car initially, they were just making comments about young drivers being reckless, but ignoring the fact that my car had zero damage on it. After talking to the cop, her father came over and thanked me profusely for having stopped and helped out, and had a complete 180° attitude adjustment.
Just a couple months ago there was a really bad accident on my way home from my girlfriends house. I walked the whole scene, talked to drivers stopped waiting to see what they were stopped for, I called the police again to make sure they were aware, and I left when cops arrived. I didnt witness it, and didnt want to be in the way of the fire department (extrication was necessary for one driver).
If the scene is under control, I dont have a reason to stick around. If its something I witnessed, I will absolutely wait for the police so that the information is available on the report immediately. No one has ever stopped for me in any of my accidents, or even my girlfriends accident. Its discouraging, but if I can help someone from getting screwed over, Ill do what I can as long as I know I wont be in the way of and first responders.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
01/01/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 1
Id feel that if you double checked to make sure keys to cars are off, emergency lights on if accessible, 911 notified, if this is already done by people on scene I would leave if they are staying.
If you stay until emergency responders get there, if they have questions, notify what you know and they will likely tell you to stay or go.
I typed up a personal story of mike that is same scenario, since it is somewhat graphic I posted on my own blog and going to link it here. http://xjdano.kinja.com/accident-story-1790669189?rev=1483288352668
Stay safe.
"jimz" (jimz)
01/01/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 1
I think you did it the right way. Unless someone’s life is in imminent danger (fire etc.) I wouldn’t mess with the scene at all.