What to Do if You Witness a Car Accident in Illinois 

When a car accident happens, what you, as a witness, do in the first few minutes can make a big difference in what happens to the people involved. A Springfield car accident attorney from Holley, Rosen & Beard, LLC, can assist you with a compensation claim.

Illinois Car Accident Statistics

The fact is, in 2022, 1,268 people died in Illinois as a result of a car crash, and thousands more were hurt. You will likely witness a car accident at some point in your life. Do you know what to do if you witness a car accident in Illinois?

Our Guidance – In the Ideal Situation, Here Is What You Should Do

After a car accident occurs, you must take action when it is safe for you to do so. Here are several things to keep in mind.

Stop and Report the Accident

The first step to take is to pull over safely but remain at least 100 feet from the accident. Turn on your hazard lights at that time. Then, call 911. This allows you to help get the police and medical personnel on the scene as soon as possible.

Avoid Trying to Be the Hero

It is not safe for you to try to remove a person who is not speaking from a car. It is also not safe for you to put yourself at risk. Keep in mind that you should remain on the phone with the dispatcher throughout this process. Follow their instructions.

If it is safe for you to offer help, do so with the support of the dispatcher on the phone with you. That may include talking to them, asking them what hurts, and even offering your phone to them so they can call a family member.

Gather Details and Report Them

While you should not put yourself in imminent danger, we do recommend that you start to relate any valuable information to the police. That includes providing a description of the vehicles and people involved. If you witness what occurred, provide that information as well. It could help them to know how to respond to the incident.

After the incident is taken care of and you have had a few minutes to reflect, take the time to write down everything that occurred. Document yourself sharing that information in a video if it helps. The information you provide here could be incredibly valuable to supporting the victim in getting the care they need now but also later when they need to seek compensation for their losses.

The Illinois Good Samaritan Law provides you with some support in terms of providing medical assistance to victims. Yet, it has many limitations. Always ensure you protect yourself.

Have Questions or Concerns? Contact Us

At Holley, Rosen & Beard, LLC, we take pride in offering our clients exceptional legal guidance throughout these difficult situations. We encourage you to contact us immediately if you need help after a car accident. Allow us to offer the comprehensive support you need to navigate these cases. We provide a free initial consultation to help you get the insight you need.