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Accident Will Happen
Being safe on the road is hard enough when everything goes right. One of the biggest slow-down factors in an accident isn’t the obstructions on the road, which are usually cleared quickly; it’s the rubberneckers who want to see what happened and slow down to have a clear view.
While you don’t want to be a rubbernecker, you may have something valuable to offer the accident participants if you had a clear view of events, or have a camera that caught the event clearly. And there might be help that you can offer. If you have approved medical training, you might possibly help save a life.
When the Worst Happens
When the worst happens, it’s important to not let your own curiosity, interest, and opinions get in the way of helping people out of a bad situation.
Here are some protocols to follow when and if you witness an accident:
Ensure your own safety. Don’t rush to anything, Slow down, signal, and get out of the way. Rushing to help can increase the damage.
Check on the drivers and passengers. Once you are safe and your Subaru is too, you can look into checking on other cars. Watch for leaks– a large leak may be a rupture in a fuel tank. If it’s a fender bender, use the non-emergency line. If there appears to be injuries or substantial damage, call 911.
Don’t be under foot. If help is on the way, try to make space for the emergency crews who are coming. Ask if anyone needs help, but don’t attempt medical procedures unless you have actual certified training.
Help ensure the cars are stable. If the cars appear to be in a non-volatile state, instruct the drivers to turn off ignitions, and make sure the cars are in park.
Use discretion. When encountering the participants in the accident, never allow yourself to get involved in who was at fault. If they press for you to back up their version of events, ask them if they have any passengers unaccounted for.
Make a statement to a proper authority. If you have dashcam to offer, speak to the officer who arrives at the scene– not the individuals who have just had the car damaged.
Remember to keep perspective– you can offer help, but you need to let the professionals do what they need to do. At Suburb Service, we’ll continue assisting you with your Subaru, and that you’ll never know the agony of a bad collision. Please make an appointment with us for regular maintenance or specific needs. And remember to “Like” our Facebook page for the latest news! Suburb Service is located at 15017 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. We’re open Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM. All We Do Is Subaru!