What do you do when you witness an accident?

"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna) 08/25/2015 at 10:41 • Filed to: cars, accidents

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This past Sunday I visited a friend of mine an hour into a touristy town outside the city. On my way back I’d hit gridlock on the highway from tourists with boats, campers, nice cars and families.

The normally 50 minute trip took me nearly 5 hours with 3 of them actually moving in the vehicle. There were 5 accidents on the first highway alone and I’d witnessed two of them. The first a small fender bender rear where a civic rear-ended an escape. I know for a fact the vehicle ahead of me saw what had happened as he served around and kept going. The two cars pulled over on the left shoulder (large enough for even a big rig to pull over) and I joined them to make sure everyone was okay and left my name and number to the one who got rear ended incase she needed a witness.

About 20 minutes later 5 cars in front of me piled into each other involving two heavy duty trucks. There had to be a other drivers had to have seen it happen. Again I stopped and not a single other vehicle did which shocked me since it was a severe accident. I was driving a current gen Escalade and blocked both the lane it had happened in and adjacent lane since some of the vehicles were forced over the line and it was clear they were non-running from the damage. There were a lot of drivers yelling at me in anger. I don’t know if they thought it was some jerk in an Escalade just blocking lanes for the hell of it but I made a judgement call which the police thanked me for afterwards.

I got out and ran over, every vehicle’s airbags had gone off. There was a Ford 500 stuck partially under one of the HD trucks and all the doors were jammed shut and there was antifreeze leaking out which was a concern. I asked them to hold the lever open and used the spare tire tools from the Escalade to rip open the door and help the passengers out then proceeded to splint broken limbs other drivers had from airbags etc and ensure they were okay until first responders arrived.

Regardless, in both cases I was the only witness to have pulled over and only person to have provided assistance on a grid locked highway. It was one of the worst days of my life for a number of reasons and this contributed to it. What’s wrong with people? Why didn’t any other drivers help or even drop a card with their number?

So my question is, what do you do when you witness an accident? Do you pull over to help out? If not why?

(image not of either accident, I didn’t have a chance to take any photos)

CalzoneGolem > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:47

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If you’re a decent human being you pull over to help.

Patrick Nichols > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:50

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If it’s a fender bender I’d keep going, but if it’s serious and there is no one else around I would stop. What you did sounds like some saintly stuff that not many would do and some may avoid for fear of being involved legally.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:50

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Damn, you’re a badass! I always stop b/c as you found out, most people will just assume someone else will do it... and drive by the accident, no matter how bad it looks. But I’d never block the road with my car, that took some guts! Don’t be surprised if a private investigator shows up at your door in a few months, that seems to happen whenever I stop and give the police a witness report.

Patrick Nichols > Patrick Nichols 08/25/2015 at 10:51

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To add, in winter with people going off the road on the highway at slow speeds, I generally won’t stop because if they went off there is a chance I get stuck too or worse hit as visibility can be low.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:51

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Sounds like you did the right things there. If I ever see an accident, I always pull off and assist while I can, and act as a witness to police. I don’t know how the Good Samaritan law works with something like this, if it’s against the law to flee the scene of a motor vehicle accident as a witness or not, but I’d rather not take my chances, and I’d rather help out how I can as well.

Moves-Like-Senna > Patrick Nichols 08/25/2015 at 10:53

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That’s reasonable. I probably would have passed if the car infront of me had stopped or another vehicle. It’s instinct for me to help, it’s just being a decent human being and it was lucky that I’ve had years of first aid training. This was actually the first time in over a decade I’ve had to use it on someone else aside from myself.

Moves-Like-Senna > CalzoneGolem 08/25/2015 at 10:53

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Exactly! It’s being a decent human and what shocked me was no one else did.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:54

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People all have a “somebody else will do it/help” attitude these days. Which is terrible.

The fender bender with a clear guilty party, I’m not stopping. Only because they don’t need me. At all. No matter what the front driver did, the one who hit from behind is at fault, it’s game over. And if it was a minor fender bender, injuries wouldn’t warrant any help.

The major one it depends on the scenario. Can I stop in time/was it behind me or in front of me? Can I get across traffic safely? If it was ahead of me, and I can safely get across traffic - I’m stopping for that one, and doing what you did- blocking the road off, maybe if you had a smaller vehicle and people could see it was an accident they wouldn’t have been so rude, but in a smaller vehicle you wouldn’t have been as good of a blocker. If it was behind me, I have to keep going. I’ll call 911 for them and say where it was. If I slam on the brakes and try and go backwards down the highway I’m making the scenario worse. Same if I yank it across 4 lanes of traffic causing more accidents.

If you were splinting injuries I’m sure you know enough that you shouldn’t move people after an accident unless 100% necessary because of fire risk (them getting hit again in bad traffic counts too!), etc because of neck/spinal injuries. Just be careful in those scenarios and always review your state’s good samaritan laws. Because as you discovered- the majority of people suck.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:54

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If I see it happen I’ll pull over and leave my business card to the not at fault driver as a witness and provide first aid if needed until police/medical personnel arrive.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Patrick Nichols 08/25/2015 at 10:55

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Good Samaritan laws protect me if I offer reasonable aid.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > CalzoneGolem 08/25/2015 at 10:55

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If you’re an indecent one, you just whip it out and start doing the helicopter dick, right????

Or so I’ve heard it’s what happens in Florida

Party-vi > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:55

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Coolant isn’t an issue. I would be more concerned with getting people out of a non-smoking crashed vehicle without understanding the extent of their injuries, but good on you for doing what every other witness should have done.

Rainbow > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:56

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I’ve only ever witnessed three minor ones.

In one case, I was in Germany and it was a single-vehicle fender bender with one of those orange construction barrels. Minor enough that I didn’t bother checking on the driver or anything.

The other time, someone either drunk or tired side-swiped a pickup truck on the freeway. My dad was driving, and we were running extremely late already, so we didn’t stop. It was a very light hit and nobody would be injured, plus the guy at fault wasn’t going to be in any better condition when the police arrived, so he’d easily get busted for either DUI or whatever the charge is for falling asleep at the wheel.

The most recent, however, happened while I was walking to my friend’s dorm at college a year and a half ago. A kid in a 350Z rear-ended another in a Highlander right next to me, but I only heard the crash and didn’t actually see anything happen. I ran over to them and asked if everyone was okay, but neither driver responded because they were just in shock, I guess. Campus police were on the scene almost immediately, so I told them that I didn’t actually see anything that could help find who was at fault, and then I left the rest to them.

I dunno. If I’m not in a rush, I’ll stop to check on the drivers no matter what. If I actually watch it happen, I’ll give everyone my phone number in case they need a witness and I’ll stick around and wait for the cops.

CalzoneGolem > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:56

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I admire your less cynical outlook. I am not surprised no one stopped.

itschrome > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:56

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I enjoy confusing the whole situation and start blaming an innocent 3rd part not involved.

RazoE > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:57

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Corolla wagon. As if they weren’t rare enough.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 08/25/2015 at 10:57

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Generally speaking, Good Samaritan laws protect you from liability for offering first aid and immediately needed care (prying doors off to help people.)

Moves-Like-Senna > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/25/2015 at 10:57

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I’m not a bad ass, I just did what I feel a decent human should. That’s great you do that but that’s become a rather large problem in our society. Assuming someone else will do it :/ I was really not impressed.

Why wouldn’t you block the road with your car? It just made sense to try and avoid anyone else getting hurt or plowing into the accident. Better they hit the car (I’d reversed and parked it fairly far back to ensure if someone hit it that it wouldn’t be able to move forward and hit the accident).

Really? I guess they just ask the same questions lining up the stories?

CalzoneGolem > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 08/25/2015 at 10:58

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I can never get the helicopter to work I just whip it out and try to rub it on things. That’s my shtick.

Rainbow > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 08/25/2015 at 10:58

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The key word is reasonable, though. A driver could insist that he could have gotten himself out of his car, and now he has whiplash because you pulled him the wrong way. It’s a money grab 90% of the time, but it’s hard to disprove.

Moves-Like-Senna > CalzoneGolem 08/25/2015 at 10:58

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It’s sad that we live in a society where it’s not surprising if someone doesn’t stop.

RazoE > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 10:59

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I have in the past when I saw a major accident. Once a dude rear ended another car and his car was gushing antifreeze and the throttle was stuck open. I physically opened his door, reached over him and turned his car off as he was in shock. Same with the lady that was pushed into me. I had to shut her car off for her. IF YOU CRASH, TURN YOUR CAR OFF, you don’t want any further damage.

Rainbow > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 08/25/2015 at 11:01

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I’d leave my info for everyone and make it clear that I’m not taking sides and only providing facts. If the at-fault driver calls me, I’ll be happy to prove his guilt.

Moves-Like-Senna > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 08/25/2015 at 11:01

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I’m glad I’m not the only one that would stop. It just makes sense.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > CalzoneGolem 08/25/2015 at 11:03

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you get a star

Moves-Like-Senna > Party-vi 08/25/2015 at 11:04

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Doesn’t antifreeze catch fire at about 115C? My concern was most vehicles had been in the sun for hours on a hot day in traffic running, odds are something nearby is very hot. The two passengers of that vehicle were the only two that appeared to not be injured and wanted out. Unfortunately, most other drivers got out of their car even with injuries and were sitting or laying on the side. Thanks!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:07

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Never happened to me but I'd stop for sure. At the very least wait until the police arrive.

Moves-Like-Senna > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/25/2015 at 11:11

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I agree that it’s terrible. It’s almost reaching levels of selfishness :/

Yea in most states that makes sense. Here we have government no-fault insurance and it’s a pain but if you have a witness there’s ways to push more of the blame on the other driver for other damages.

Those are good points, I guess a lot of people behind me probably didnt see it (an Escalade is extremely tall and tinted) and well being able to pull over also becomes a safety issue. You’re a 100% right.

Unfortunately, most drivers hopped out of their own cars with broken limbs even after I’d recommended they stay put and wait for help. They sat or laid down on the side of the road and for some of them a splint just made more sense then elavin git be. It’s something I’m going to have to review it as my province is a bit different with civil law in place of common law.

Moves-Like-Senna > Rainbow 08/25/2015 at 11:12

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It sounds like you made the effort when needed and that’s great :D

jariten1781 > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:17

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For minor stuff where injuries are extremely unlikely and the fault is obvious (light rear enders or people pulling from unsignalled side streets/entrances) I don’t stop.

Beyond that I assess. If there’s already a big response from others I won’t clog up the works, but if I see an airbag or distraught/immobile peeps I will stop. If it’s a lane switch wreck I’ll stop and play witness since those are sketchy for the police to work out if the instigator doesn’t cop.

In no case, though, will I stop in a travel lane... I always get beyond the accident and on the shoulder or use the wrecked vehicles as a blocker, if possible, before I get out and walk back. I’ll lay flares if the rearmost wrecked car doesn’t have functional flashers and first aid is being taken care of.

Party-vi > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:18

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Antifreeze auto-ignites at 750’F. It boils at 350’F. The flash point is 250’F, meaning it will vaporize and the vapor could ignite, but it would need an ignition source (spark or fire).

Good enough - if they can move themselves that should have been fine, as long as they can’t feel any neck pain or back/leg issues. You done good, man.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:19

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Lol well, I know to stop because nobody else will, but I don’t trust the average motorist enough to block their way with my car.

And yeah the investigators want to confirm what you saw, and often record it. Especially if it was an at-fault accident and there is suit involved. It’s truly shocking to me how few people are willing to help a fellow human out by giving a witness report to the police, and making sure everyone is okay.

The last time that happened, I watched a teenager take a left (from a stop sign...) right into two lanes of oncoming traffic. She was in a Sentra, and she t-boned a damn Suburban hard enough to send it through my lane, right in front of my car, and into a granite telephone pole. Totaled both cars. Who stopped? Nobody else. Unfortunately for the teenager, the driver of the car she hit happened to be one of my town’s police officers, and he had his little girl in the back. She was maybe 5-6, and a little shaken up, but essentially already over it. She was actually a badass. The teenager? Balling her eyes out, doing absolutely nothing...

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:20

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I’d do that IF I had some good lights and road flares. My car is quite small so I’d need something telling people we’re there. People tend to pay attention to flashing lights.

Moves-Like-Senna > Party-vi 08/25/2015 at 11:20

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I’m going to keep that in mind. I confused the flash point and auto-ignite in my memory.

Good point. I currently have whiplash/bruised lung/broken ribs etc.. it hurts haha. Neck and back pain is the worst.

Party-vi > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:25

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The worst is that you don’t know the extent of their injuries and might actually make them worse, it’s always best to leave them in the vehicle until EMS arrive to check them out if it is safe to do so, but again, you did it right. I can’t believe no one else bothered to stop.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:36

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Yeah, I think the fact that you were in an Escalade probably contributed a lot to people’s thoughts of you, correct or not.

I’ve actually never come upon an accident first or witnessed one that I wasn’t in, and I’ve been driving for 22+ years. I would like to say I would stop and help out. Unfortunately since we live in such a litigious society, you open yourself up to a lawsuit if you help them and something goes wrong. Which I think is completely bullshit.

I’ve tried a couple of times to help someone on the side of the road with car trouble, and have been waived on. I guess I just scare people because I’m a fairly large dude. Or when I see someone struggling to load groceries in their vehicle, I offer to help and often times am told no. Yet my wife has offered to help and almost always been successful.

Bytemite > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:45

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Stop rubbernecking and mind your own business. You are the reason why one little accident causes everyone to spend a whole day sitting in traffic. Is it that important for you to see what every accident is? Does your ego get a boost by blocking two lanes and helping people out of cars they can get out of themselves? All you did was hold back thousands of people from getting on with their lives. Do the right thing and move along, it is a highway, not a movie theater.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 11:51

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Yeah I suppose it’s different everywhere on the laws and insurance. And the US is just so damn law suit happy. I hear in the UK you can get in worse trouble for bringing frivolous lawsuits to court than the punishment of the lawsuit would have been and it really cuts down on their law suits. I’d be 100% behind that.

Yeah. I’ve stopped to help when safe, even pushed a Mustang that went off into the snow back onto the road for the poor girl out in 6-8 inches of snow in her GT Mustang (poor choices....).

It’s nice to know at least you have the right mindset!

Berang > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 12:42

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I fucking hate it when people get mad because there’s an accident in front of them. Once was in a very minor bump with another vehicle, got out spent maybe 30 seconds looking if there was any damage. There was none so I yelled back at the person who rear-ended me it was ok. I didn’t even get back into the car before people started honking and shitting themselves.

And I’ve seen it happen to other people when there was actual damage.

About a week ago I passed a head on collision at about 2am. Almost stopped but there wasn’t a place to pull over (guard rail, no shoulder) and the accident was within a block of a gas station and convenience store so I figured the people involved were not going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. If I hadn’t been driving a friend home I might have pulled into the gas station and walked back just to see if everything was ok.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Moves-Like-Senna 08/25/2015 at 14:58

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Saw an accident happen yesterday morning on freeway at 5 am. Guy sideswiped two cars that were parked in the left/passing lane of highway, just over a rise, with no lights (hazards or otherwise) on. Side curtain airbags went off, guy swerved like mad a couple of times, drove on to next freeway exit. I followed to make sure he was ok, called 911. He said he was fine and would wait for cops, I gave him my work contact info, went on my way. Next thing I know, he’s calling me on my cell to explain to the second set of cops what happened, the cop gets on the phone to bitch at me for leaving the scene of an accident, and I find out the first set of cops gave the guy my cell number after contacting 911 dispatch to get it. So would I stop again? Of course, it’s common sense/courtesy. Would a lot of people after having this happen just drive on? IDK, but probably.

Nauraushaun > Rainbow 08/25/2015 at 23:40

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Exactly. I share this concern.

Worse than whiplash, if his back is damaged or gets damaged he could be looking at quite a lot of money. And he could be looking for someone to blame.

boxrocket > Moves-Like-Senna 08/27/2015 at 00:15

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Tell the authorities a pelican swooped in and caused a distraction, leading to the accident(s).

Sounds legit.

In seriousness, stopping, giving info and an official statement to authorities is a legal requirement and the correct thing to do.

thebigbossyboss > Moves-Like-Senna 10/26/2015 at 11:11

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Depends. I’d probably just go around in the city or on a busy highway. Out in the bush if someone hit a deer or moose I’d pull over.

Moves-Like-Senna > thebigbossyboss 10/26/2015 at 11:12

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Who wouldn’t pull over for free meat!?

thebigbossyboss > Moves-Like-Senna 10/26/2015 at 11:14

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This is true. Also in the bush around here a lot of it is without cell phone reception, so really the passengers of the crashed car are at the mercy of other drivers to help them.