If you are nearby when a car accident occurs, you can become a valuable part of the investigation. By helping others, telling the police what you saw, and offering your story to the victims, you could help them find justice. Their Greenville car accident lawyer can use your statement as part of a personal injury claim against any wrongdoers. Let’s examine what to do if you witness a car crash so you are prepared to help.
Are you legally required to help a car crash victim?
No, you are not. Under South Carolina Code of Law Section 56-5-1230, drivers involved in a car accident must report the crash under certain circumstances and render aid to anyone who is involved. This law technically doesn’t apply to witnesses, but calling 911 counts as rendering aid.
If you’re a medical professional, you might worry about getting sued if you try to help someone at a crash scene. Fortunately, South Carolina’s Good Samaritan statute generally protects you from civil lawsuits if you attempt to help someone in good faith when they are injured. Even if you can’t give medical care, we recommend performing the following actions to potentially save lives.
Stay calm and stay safe, then call for help
First, stay calm and avoid putting yourself in danger. Call 911 right away to get police and emergency responders on the way.
If you’re driving, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and keep a safe distance. Approach the scene only if it’s safe, and check whether anyone is hurt. Let the drivers and passengers know that help is on the way.
Stay at the scene until the police arrive. Be mindful of broken glass or other hazards, and share your name, contact information, and a description of what you saw. If multiple people were involved, you may want to share your details with all of them in case it’s needed for an insurance claim.
Help the victims after they begin their recovery
Although you may go home and never see the injured party again, you can still help those who have suffered after they begin healing. Their car accident attorney may ask you for a statement about what you saw leading up to the crash. They may even ask you to appear in court if the case goes to trial.
Most personal injury cases settle out of court, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to testify during a trial. The attorney will most likely use your statement to strengthen their arguments when negotiating a settlement with insurance companies. You can help them by telling the truth about what you saw and not guessing about who is to blame.
Provide any evidence you have
Many drivers now use dashboard cameras, which can provide a clear, unbiased view of what happened. If yours captured the crash, offer the footage to the police and the injured party—it may help establish fault.
You can also take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, weather, traffic signs, and any visible injuries, especially if the victims are unable to. Share this evidence with investigators or attorneys, as it could support the case and clarify what led to the accident.
Make yourself available for investigations
While you’re not legally required to stay involved, your help could go a long way. If the crash involved serious wrongdoing, like drunk driving, your statement could help law enforcement and the victim’s legal team. Cooperating with an investigation or speaking with an attorney may help the victim recover damages and hold the at-fault driver accountable.
For example, if the liable party was also intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances, your testimony could help the Greenville Police Department verify the person’s identity and behavior. This might also be useful for the victim’s civil trial against the other driver to secure compensation for their negligent actions.
Knowing what to do if you witness a car crash can save lives and help victims get the justice they deserve
At Smith Jordan Law, we are dedicated to helping car accident survivors get the compensation they need from the negligent individuals who hurt them. Understanding what to do if you witness a car crash lets you be part of their recovery so they can return to their lives without suffering a financial burden.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a wreck, our Greenville car accident attorneys are ready to assist when you schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Act now to contact us online or by calling (864) 343-2222.
