What To Do First At The Scene Of Your Crash Or Injury

Do not submit to any recorded statements with an insurance company, until you have spoken to an attorney.

In over thirty-five years, Dan has never had anyone tell him they planned on being injured. Injuries range from those that are minor to those that change lives forever. Whatever the nature of the injury, there are ways to protect your rights at the scene. This may be important in proving who was at fault and how injuries were caused.  

Immediately after a crash or injury, always take the time needed to check yourself for injuries. This includes cuts, bleeding, pain, and the ability to comprehend what is going on around you. This should take just a few moments. Next, check on others in the vehicle with you for cuts, bleeding, pain, and the ability to comprehend what is going on around them. Do what you can to stop any bleeding.  

If you have a cell phone with you, call 911 and report the crash or injury.  They will ask if help is needed in extracting persons involved in the crash.  This is important in determining the proper response team to dispatch to the scene.  

Remember, all fire departments are not equipped with devices, like The Jaws of Life. If you are not certain that all persons involved in the crash are able to exit the vehicle, please let 911 know. The quicker all persons can be removed from the vehicle, the quicker they can receive proper medical care. 

If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar or a similar service, you may receive an automatic call. Please communicate with them and answer all questions they ask in order for them to coordinate the help needed.  

If you are in an accident and need to roll down a window to exit the vehicle for everyone’s protection, your key may need to be turned on.  Exercise caution and make sure the chance of an explosion at the scene is not present.

If there is a fire in the vehicle or at the location of the crash that can cause harm to you or others, this is an extremely dangerous situation. All efforts should be made to avoid exposure to fire by you and others at the scene as soon as possible.  

You will need to weigh the risk of others at the scene by moving them, with the risk of injury or death from fire or explosion. This is not always easy to do and you will have to exercise your best judgment. If others at the scene are able to communicate with you, ask for their help in assessing the danger and potential harm.  

If there is a downed power line, whether or not it is raining, this can be a potential source of danger. There are specific methods to be used in exiting a vehicle safely in this situation. One misstep can cause serious injury or loss of life. 

 If you are unable to wait for assistance due to the emergent conditions, call 911. Give the dispatcher specific details about the scene of the crash and all surrounding circumstances. Request help in the precise steps you need to take to remove yourself and others from this dangerous situation. Keep 911 on the phone with you all times and stay in constant communication until you have removed yourself and others from the area. If you are unable to remove everyone from the area of the danger, continue to remind and control everyone at the scene to avoid the danger until removed. If the crash or injury occurs during severe weather that poses a danger, you will need to exercise care in making choices as to exit the vehicle or not.  If you can contact 911, please advise them of the situation and request their help.