what do you do if you witness a car accident as a bystander?

[rh71]

Say a couple of cars get mangled and about 10 people all whip out their cell phones to call the cops right away. What do you do afterward ? I'd think you would try and help pry them out, but:

1) gas leak ?
2) don't move a broken neck...

What are you supposed to do until medics/cops arrive?

 

[djNickb]

Well if the people are injured or complaining of pain definitely do not move them unless there is danger of an explosion or something (i.e. visible flame or gas leakage) Other than that just try to keep them calm until the professionals arrive.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: djNickb
Well if the people are injured or complaining of pain definitely do not move them unless there is danger of an explosion or something (i.e. visible flame or gas leakage) Other than that just try to keep them calm until the professionals arrive.

Yeah it's better to risk paralyzation than burning to death, if you think that there is risk of an explosion, but otherwise just call somebody and wait

 

[Warthog912]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: djNickb
Well if the people are injured or complaining of pain definitely do not move them unless there is danger of an explosion or something (i.e. visible flame or gas leakage) Other than that just try to keep them calm until the professionals arrive.

Yeah it's better to risk paralyzation than burning to death, if you think that there is risk of an explosion, but otherwise just call somebody and wait

that'd be my best idea... I just w8 on the cops to give a statement...

 

[rh71]

BTW, how does that neck theory work ? Don't move them if their neck is broken... but isn't it already broken ? Or is it don't move it because it's fragile and MAY break if you do move it.

 

[PingSpike]

I thought you were going to say a small fender bender, the kind where there is little damage and no gets hurt. Most likely I'd just keep on going there. I don't feel like waiting around for 3 hours while a cop decides who's insurance company pays.

A series accident...I don't think I'd move them unless it looked like the car was going to blow...or they were really bleeding and I couldn't get the wound for pressure. I would turn off the ignition though. Most people don't do that after a crash, but you're suppose too.

 

Yup...see my thread about my accident from yesterday. I secured a witness and moved away from the vehicles. I figured there wouldn't be an explosion since my car was only leaking antifreeze, but I did leave the car in the middle of the intersection blocking traffic, since moving it would risk sparking something, I'd guess.

 

[0roo0roo]

mostly gawk

 

[LTC8K6]

You can break your neck without damaging your spinal cord.

It's the spinal cord you don't want to damage.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
You can break your neck without damaging your spinal cord.

It's the spinal cord you don't want to damage.

Yeah, thats why ambulance workers try to approach from the front of the car. Its so that if you neck is broken but your spinal cord isn't you won't jerk your head in suprise and break the cord.

 

[MacBaine]

I keep a 30-06 in my trunk to finish them off.

 

[Rapidskies]

Dude you run! Do you want to get arrested by the Fuzz!?!? R-U-N-O-F-T

 

[911paramedic]

Make sure you don't become part of the problem, first off. By that I mean don't go running out into a freeway and risk getting hurt yourself, or stand behind wrecked cars where another car can crash into the first two and pin you. (that's bad) PingSpike, we park in front of an accident for a few reasons: to make it easier for us to move the gurney and supplies out of the back of the ambulance, and so we stay out of the way of flowing traffic.

If that is all fine and dandy, and you still want to help, there are a few easy steps after calling 911.

If the scene is safe and no threat of any secondary problems (fire, getting hit again, etc) leave the people where they are.
If the scene is only fairly safe, ask the people that are able to walk to get away from their cars and sit nearby. The more seriously injured should not move, and if it can be done they should not move their head unless there is an airway problem.
If the scene is not safe, get everybody out.

Those are only basic guidelines and it changes with EVERY accident scene, trust me.

P.S. Watch out for blood, broken glass, torn metal, and above all SPILLED ANTIFREEZE! (it's slippery like ice)

P.P.S. Carry medical gloves in your car if you are the type of person that may help, if you can't find any medical gloves kitchen rubber gloves should do for temporary protection.

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: rh71
BTW, how does that neck theory work ? Don't move them if their neck is broken... but isn't it already broken ? Or is it don't move it because it's fragile and MAY break if you do move it.

i wouldnt touch anyone. i would call 911 and wait for the paramedics and cops and make a statement.
i however wouldnt touch anyone, youre just setting yourself up for a lawsuit that way.
its hard to be a good samaritan these days.

 

[dquan97]

I'd post here and make a poll

 

[ggavinmoss]

Take pictures, post here. Duh!

-geoff

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'd post here and make a poll

Just thought I'd ask in case I ever do see it happening in front of me. I never get to see the cool stuff... ¬

 

[kt]

I would run up to them and yell out:

[Nelson's voice] ha-ha ! [/Nelson's voice]

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: kt
I would run up to them and yell out:

[Nelson's voice] ha-ha ! [/Nelson's voice]

I'd put the car in reverse and play Carmageddon with yer @$$. Muhahahaha.

 

[minendo]

Post about it on AnandTech.

 

[m2kewl]

take pics, whine and b!tch about it like the 90% of the atot population...

 

[Vonkhan]

I'd light up a ciggy and throw the burning match towards the wreck

 

[captains]

climb in to the most wrecked car of the bunch and act like you were part of the accident......my neck....my neck

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'd post here and make a poll

Just thought I'd ask in case I ever do see it happening in front of me. I never get to see the cool stuff... ¬

better yet, I'd run up and give my friend's business card. He's a personal injury atty (jk)

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: rh71

BTW, how does that neck theory work ? Don't move them if their neck is broken... but isn't it already broken ? Or is it don't move it because it's fragile and MAY break if you do move it.

I would say it's because if they have a broken neck, and you moved them, it may cause more damage to their spinal cord than they already had if you didn't support their head properly.