Poll: What would you do if you witnessed an accident.

[Robert]

Accident sucks. I know some of you have personal experience or know someone who has been involved in one. Furthermore, it's frustrating when the party at faullt is dishonest and there's no witness to the accident. I am curious to know when people witnessed an accident would they stop and help.

[!Xoible]

i saw one in Irvine that was really close to me. basically the 2 cars right behind me crashed and started spinning all over the place. I picked up my phone to call the cops but i saw a cop on a bike stop, so i didnt. i picked 'nothing' coz i would only call 911, but not stay for witness unless the cause of the problem is a careless driver that pissed me off

nosy people will witness. most wont

[Nikki]

It depends on the circumstances and how serious the accident was.

[Year's_End]

+1^

[Carnage]

this is a touchy subject and you need to research the local and state laws and know where you stand in case this kind of situation occurs.

In a lot of areas, failure to stop and render aid at a traffic accident that results in serious injury is a criminal offense. Now of course, you don't know if serious injuries are part of the accident unless you stop and see what's happening, so basically the laws are in place to get people to stop, assess what is going on, and take the necessary actions (call cops, give statements, help the injured, etc.) in the event of an accident. Note, those laws seem to normally apply to the 1st people at the scene of the accident. Additionally, there are separate laws that require doctors, ambulance people, etc. to have to stop or risk additional legal problems. Not in all places, but California is one of them.

Bottom line, do some research and make sure you understand the laws in the areas you travel. The last thing you need is to not stop at an accident and an accident victim is seriously hurt or worse, dies. If someone wrote down your license # as you drove away and reported you for not stopping, you will find yourself in court facing criminal charges. At that point, you will be wishing you would have made the time to stop.

[BMW2006]

I saw one, no major injuries, just a rear end hard enough to deploy airbag, and hit the car in front on it, and that car hit the one in front of it. I told them (all parties) that I saw everything and asked if they wanted me to stay, which they said they didn't. But after I thought about it, I wish I would have left them my contact information anyway.

You kinda forget they were just in an accident, are probably thanking the lord they aren't dead, thinking about who to call, and how they'll be late to wherever they were going, and if their back is starting to hurt, and about 5000 things at once. Once the police arrive is when they probably go, uh, we should of had that guy hang around. Or even worse when insurance claims get denied etc...

So lesson learned for me, If there is a next time (hopefully never) I'll be pushy and make them take it down.

-BMW2006

[Revlis]

I stop and help if it looks as though there may be injuries. Otherwise I don't need to get wrapped up in other folks silly shit. I've witnessed to much stupidity and ignorance surrounding cars and morons behind the wheel to want to stick around just to hear some spoiled bitch whine about the bumper of her freaking SUV.

[TurboFan]

If damage was done, and I saw anything of value, I stop and give both people my card. They can have the cops or insurance call if needed. I drive so friggin much, I've done this at least 5 times.

[RokX]

This would be an interesting situation for me, I have been wondering about it with my personal situation. If there was a serious accident I could not do anything but call 911. I am in a wheelchair, so helping physically would not be an option for me. If I saw what happened and I could be of aid that way, no problem I don't know if anyone would know about this. hmm.......

[ctgazer]

hmm i witnessed only one accident in my lifetime. was a couple years ago when i was still in uni in MI. it was raining and im coming around a bend and all i remember seeing is a bronco cutting directly all lanes of traffic and straight into a tree. totaled. i pulled over and called 911. then ran over to the guy and asked if he was ok...he wasnt in shock, but none-the-less i told him not to move. cops arrived within 15 minutes and an ambulance also. turns out he was ok and actually lived in my dorm. drove him home and dropped him off. dunno if he got a new car or whatnot..

[Robert]

Thank you for the relpies. I was involved in an 4 cars accident, not at fault, last december and I am still awaiting the outcome because a dishonest driver decides to bring the process to a screeching halt. I am interestined in setting up a service to bring volunteer witness and people involved in auto accidents together. It will be a non-profit organization to keep the dishonest folks, honest. I am still working out the details but I am gald to hear some people are willing to help out.

[OhhaiAlex]

I would be there to report my statement and call the police

I believe in karma and I want someone to do the same for me

[UncleWede]

Every accident I've seen I stopped and rendered assistance, then offered my information/statement. Never been contacted by anyone after the fact.

I also pull over and push disabled cars out of traffic, regardless of the person driving. A full sized pickup is a BI-ATCH to push by yourself, but with two or three helping you, it's a breeze to get it into a gas station. Heck, 3 of us even pushed a camper once. . .

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Every accident I've seen I stopped and rendered assistance, then offered my information/statement. Never been contacted by anyone after the fact.

I also pull over and push disabled cars out of traffic, regardless of the person driving. A full sized pickup is a BI-ATCH to push by yourself, but with two or three helping you, it's a breeze to get it into a gas station. Heck, 3 of us even pushed a camper once. . .

When driving in my truck, I've pulled a couple cars / trucks out of the way, or out of ditches. The bimmer just doesn't quite have the same towing capacity of my Titan, even with the AWD....

Last winter right after an ice storm, I pulled a school bus about 1/8 mile up a hill to flat ground. That was a trip, if I'd had a camcorder I probably could have sold the video to Nissan!