If you witness a car accident, do you stop to help/act as a witness?

[flvegan]

Just curious what my fellow DUers do in that situation.

If I witness an accident, I always stop, regardless. Too many folks don't, and someone just might need whatever minimal aid I can provide, plus I want to give an accurate portrayal of what I saw. I also keep a fire extinguisher and blanket in my car, just in case I (or someone else) needs it.

What say you, DU?

[Padraig18]

1. I do.

:hi:

[CO Liberal]

2. Yes, I Do

People stopped for my accidents - the least I can do is act in kind.

[Hobarticus]

3. Yes. Been on the other end of that, myself, and it is appreciated.

[Debi]

4. I do

I also stop by cars on the side of the road to see if they need help...offer to make a call for them.

[Maddy McCall]

5. Yes.

[sniffa]

6. i just rubberneck

actuaLLy, i've never been in the situation of witnessing an accident that big. i've stopped to heLp peopLe (incLuding some guy who i think was trying to kiLL me. very weird story) who were broken down.

in 94 i was in a horrific car accident where everyone in the car was seriousLy injured... except for me, somehow - i've got a good guardian angeL, i guess. peopLe came running down to heLp us out, and i was very appreciative.

[MissB]

7. Of course.

It is a no-brainer for me. Karma and all that.

[flvegan]

11. See, this is what I'm talking about.

It's a no-brainer...or so you'd think. I can't tell you the number of times that I'm the only one who stops. Nobody stopped for any of the 3 I've been in, 2 of which I shouldn't have lived through to talk about. I live in a city were most folks drive like psychos, but nobody ever seems to stop to help.

I'm glad to see such great feedback from the DUers. Freeperville would be a different story. They might stop...to loot!

[jmm]

8. I'm Red Cross certified in first aid and CPR so

I'd hate to think that someone could die or be seriously injured while I stood by knowing how to help but doing nothing. I use to live on a dangerous intersection where I often saw accidents and I always offered to help.

[flvegan]

12. Everyone should know CPR

I had to get my cert. for my CPT certificate, but I like to think I'd have gotten it anyway, just in case.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

9. Yes...

I've done it before.

[seemunkee]

10. Yes

I had to go to court for one last month. I was the only one who showed up.

[Bertha Venation]

13. Absolutely.

It's been a long time but I've done this a couple of times. Hang around til the police get there, tell them what I saw.

[tjwmason]

14. Only been there once, and yes

Fortunately it turned out to be quite minor. A motocyclist went into the back of a car about 4-5 feet away from me (I was walking). So I called 999, and then stood around getting bored waiting for the police to arrive and take a statement.

[Nay]

15. I have, several times.

[Cuban_Liberal]

16. Without fail.

Actually, most states impose a legal duty on witnesses to stop and render aid.

[GOPisEvil]

17. If you're first on the scene, you're required by law to stop here in TX.

I've called the police at the scene of minor accidents before, but I've thankfully never witnessed anything worse that the police/emergency personnel had not already responded to.

[Cuban_Liberal]

23. In Illinois, too.

Most states, I think.

:)

[skygazer]

18. It does depend on the situation

It's dangerous and not advisable to stop on a freeway especially in heavy traffic. One can inadvertantly cause yet another accident. In that case, it's best to simply call 911 and keep out of the way.

However, in most cases I will certainly stop. I tend to stop for people who are broken down or out of gas as well. It gives my hubby the creeps because he's always afraid I'm going to get raped and murdered but I used to hitchhike a lot and I have a lot of kindly acts to pass on.

[ronnykmarshall]

19. Hell no!

They bought the car, they knew the risks. I say, "let 'em crash"!


Kidding! I'm always calling the police for things like accidents and stuff. I had to go to court when I was 16 to be a witness concerning an accident that involved a death.

[blondeatlast]

20. Always stop, and once justice would NOT have been done if I hadn't

convinced my husband to go back and tell the cops what really happened.

The victims in the accident spoke very broken English, and the guy who hit them had a Jaguar and was lording it over the victims.

He shot through an intersection when they had the right of way. I'm so glad we went back, and now my husband is glad as wwell.

[Robb]

21. I always stop. Especially...

...when I'm driving the ambulance. :D

(Volunteer with yer local EMS for a good time and a chance to give back. Dingbat PSA ends.)

[Aristus]

22. I did, last Fall.

Some lady was driving kinda screwy and then just swerved into the oncoming lane, right AT me, before swerving back into her own lane, over the yellow line and up the embankment, where she flipped the car. I got out, grateful that she hadn't hit me, called 911, and then talked to her and kept her calm until the paramedics and police arrived. I'm a Medical Assistant, so I got her pulse and respiration while she was pinned in the car (her seatbelt was stuck) and then gave my statement to the cops.

She cried and said "My husband is going to KILL me!" and I had to keep reassuring her that her husband would just be glad that she was all right.

[trof]

24. I have.

One night, many years ago, I was first on the scene. It happened right in front of us.
The crasher (as opposed to the crashee) was obviously sh*tfaced.
His car would barely move...crushed in fenders and bumpers...but he was bygod tryin' to make his getaway..at about 2 mph.
I reached in and took the keys out of the ignition.

He had also eaten the steering wheel (before seatbelts) and I gave some rudimentary first aid before the medics arrived.