If you have witnessed a car accident in California, you might wonder what your responsibility is to potential victims and other involved parties. Whether you are on the freeway or a slow suburban street, injuries and expenses can be severe for those present for the accident. Should you get involved in any way?
It would help if you got involved by calling 9-1-1 and offering to leave a statement and contact information. However, you should not try to put yourself at risk of getting injured, even if you think it will benefit other victims. If you want more information about being a good witness, the team at Younglove Law Group can help.
Avoid Getting Hurt
Whenever you witness a car accident, you might want to be helpful to the victims and other parties involved. However, you should avoid putting yourself in harm’s way. It is not necessary for you to take risks and sustain injury of your own in order to be helpful to those involved in the accident.
We recommend you stop your car at a safe distance from the accident you witness. Our team also suggests you only get involved when you feel confident doing so. You are not responsible for entering a vehicle that is on fire or exposing yourself to sharp edges. We encourage you to allow professionals, like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, to handle these more dangerous obstacles.
Call 9-1-1
Especially if you know that no one else has called emergency personnel to the scene, we encourage you to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible when you witness a car accident. Calling quickly will give emergency personnel sufficient time to assess the situation and remove victims and survivors from dangerous situations. This will also give anyone with injuries a significantly higher chance of receiving medical attention that could save their lives.
By calling emergency services to the scene, you also help the victim ensure there is a police report made for their accident. This can make it much easier for survivors to win compensation for any losses, simplifying the healing process and covering their medical costs.
Speak With Authorities
When emergency services arrive, we recommend you give all the information you can to law enforcement officers. They will take a witness statement and your contact information, giving them the ability to get in touch with you again if they need to. This can also help the legal system better understand what happened during the events you witnessed.
Speaking with authorities does not necessarily put you at risk of getting in trouble with the law, as you are performing a positive public duty and assistance for those involved. You are helping the legal system make ethical and effective decisions and allowing the victims to hold liable parties accountable much more quickly.
Participate in Legal Processes, if Necessary
Most personal injury cases do not go to trial, so you are unlikely to have any significant long-term obligations by getting involved after witnessing a car accident. But if the legal system needs to hear the events from your perspective, including the judge, jury, and legal representatives, your account can be very helpful.
Lawyers can also contact you for additional statements and information, as they are trying to represent their clients fairly and favorably. Attorneys can help their clients in several ways, primarily if they represent victims of car accidents. They can speak on behalf of victims, complete and file paperwork, and level the playing field against other representatives and parties. By cooperating when you are asked to, you get to help victims find a sense of justice and peace.
Get Legal Assistance by Working With a Car Accident Lawyer From Younglove Law Group
If you or someone you know has been in a car accident in California, it will likely be beneficial to work with a lawyer. A car accident lawyer from Younglove Law Group can help you in several ways, and our clients trust us to bring them positive results in their time of need. You do not need to manage complex legal matters alone, especially if you want to prioritize healing and reduce stress. Our lawyers can help you relax by managing challenging tasks for you.
Please get in touch with our team if you want legal assistance. When we partner together, we can answer your questions, calm your concerns, and provide you with access to helpful resources and strategies during this challenging time. You can connect with us by calling (949) 691-3660, using our toll-free number at (844) 810-1800, or completing our contact form at your earliest convenience.
