Setareh Law
April 8, 2025
Most people who watch a crash take place keep driving or assume that someone else has called the police. However, this mindset can have devastating impacts on the victims of car accidents. If you happen to be at the scene of a crash and witness the accident, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the victims of the crash are protected.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, it is important to seek legal counsel from a skilled car accident attorney at Setareh Law. Outlined below are some simple steps you should take in the event that you witness a car accident.
Car Accident Witness Responsibility
What is Expected of You
As a car accident witness, you play a crucial role in helping to determine the cause of the accident and ensuring that the injured parties receive the necessary assistance. While California law does not require you to stop and render aid, it is expected that you will provide your account of the events to the authorities and cooperate with their investigation.
If you choose to stop and assist, you should prioritize your safety and the safety of those involved in the crash. If you are on the road, pull over to a safe space and put your hazard lights on. If you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, keep a safe distance from the crash site to protect yourself from dangerous conditions.
You may also be expected to provide your contact information to the police officers so they can include it in the accident report. This information can be used to contact you later for further questioning or to request your testimony in court.
It’s essential to remember that as a car accident witness, you have a moral obligation to assist those in need, even if it’s just by providing your account of the events. Your testimony can be invaluable in helping to establish who was at fault for the accident and ensuring that the injured parties receive the compensation they deserve.
Pull Over After a Car Accident
If an accident occurs in front of you, you should pull off the road at a safe distance from the scene of the crash. It is important to remember that when emergency personnel arrive, they will need to be able to see the accident and have space to pull over directly next to it to treat any injured persons. Therefore, to allow for plenty of room, we recommend stopping past the accident. Your testimony can be invaluable in helping to establish who was at fault for the accident and ensuring that the injured party receives the compensation they deserve.
Call 911 for Help
After you have pulled over and are in a safe position, it’s imperative to call 911 as soon as possible. When you call for help, provide the responder with the following information:
- A precise location of the accident. Be sure to give the police the cross streets of the accident, or if you’re on the highway, the nearest exit number.
- Status of the scene. If you can, you should provide responders with the status of the accident scene, including the number of people who need help, their physical condition, and how many vehicles were involved in the crash.
- Any additional information the responder requests. It is important to stay on the phone until the emergency dispatcher is done collecting all the information they need.
Check the Scene for Any Injured People
After you have pulled over and called for help, you should check the scene for any injured people. While it is important to check the obvious places, such as the passenger seats, it is also important to check around the car. If any of the passengers weren’t wearing a seatbelt, they might have been ejected from their vehicle. Check any tall grass or bushes around the accident scene for injured persons. Seeking legal assistance can also help you understand your rights and protections as a witness.
Put Your Hazard Lights On
If you or someone you know has been injured in a California car accident, it is important to seek legal action. If your car has emergency lights, you should turn them on. Often, cars approaching an accident scene don’t adjust their speed accordingly, which can cause additional accidents to occur. Putting your emergency lights on can help signal to other drivers that they should slow down, preventing additional accidents from happening.
Our team has extensive experience in handling personal injury cases, ensuring that our clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Understanding Your Rights and Protections
When you witness a car accident, it’s important to know that you have certain rights and protections under California law. These legal safeguards are designed to encourage witnesses to come forward without fear of legal repercussions.
Firstly, as a car accident witness, you are protected from liability for providing assistance at the scene, as long as your actions are reasonable and do not cause further harm. This is known as the “Good Samaritan” law, which aims to protect those who voluntarily help injured victims in emergency situations.
Additionally, you have the right to refuse to provide a statement to anyone other than law enforcement officers. If approached by an insurance company or other parties involved in the accident, you are not obligated to share your account unless you choose to do so.
It’s also important to protect your own safety and well-being. Avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations while trying to help. If you have first aid training, you can render aid to injured persons, but always wait for professional medical personnel to arrive.
Understanding your rights and protections can give you the confidence to act responsibly and ethically when witnessing a car accident. Your cooperation can make a significant difference in car accident cases, helping injured victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
Consult a California Personal Injury Lawyer at Setareh Law
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek legal action. In some cases, reporting your accident to your insurance company doesn’t result in the outcome you deserve. In these cases, it is best to consult with a lawyer to ensure you receive appropriate financial compensation from the at-fault party.
The personal injury lawyers at Setareh Law are here to help. Our team of skilled attorneys provides unmatched legal representation for plaintiffs across California dealing with personal injury and car accident matters. As members of the Beverly Hills Bar Association, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal counsel. To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled personal injury lawyers, call today at 310-659-1826 or fill out our online contact form.
