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Witnessing a car accident can be a scary situation even if you are not someone hurt in it. While you may know what to do if you are involved in a car accident yourself, you may be unsure what your obligation or options are when you see an accident happen. When it comes to car accidents, Boise residents should take the time to do their part to help those involved when it is safe for them to do so.
Here are some of the tips we encourage you to follow.
The first step is to pull your vehicle over safely. Don’t stop in the roadway. Be sure to stay at least 100 feet from the actual accident as well. This allows emergency personnel to get to the people who need help right away. Put on your emergency flashers.
Next, before doing anything else, call 911. They will provide you with information about what you should do based on the circumstances of the situation. Follow that whenever possible. The sooner someone calls help, the sooner emergency professionals can be there to help. Don’t wait to check out the scene before calling. Seconds matter.
Provide the 911 dispatcher with as much information as you can about the location. Try to provide as much info as you can about the incident as well, such as how many people you see. That will help them to get help to the scene.
Once it is safe for you to do so, check on those involved in the accident. You should only render care if you are asked to do so, and you are not putting yourself or other people in imminent danger by interacting.
There could be oncoming traffic that puts you at risk, smoking vehicles, or a risk of an explosion. If you are able to do so, ask if anyone needs help. If the 911 operator asks you to take steps, do so carefully.
With car accidents, Boise residents should stay on the scene until professionals arrive. Then, wait until the emergent situation is under control to approach an officer with the information you have. Even if you didn’t see everything, the small amount of information you offer could help make decisions about the fault.
You are likely to be asked to provide a statement, which will be a written or verbal statement about what you witnessed. You may have to visit the police station to do this after a Boise car accident. Doing so right away is essential as it helps to ensure the information remains fresh in your mind. You may not remember small details right now, but as you share the story, you will.
After a Boise car accident, it is wise to cooperate with the police. Answer their calls when they call you. If they ask you to come into the station to provide additional information or to verify identities, do so. If you are not sure if you should do this, you can call a car accident attorney in Boise, Idaho, for more information and guidance. Most often, your witness statement will be followed up on if the case is complex or there are situations later that require it.
It is not common to have to go to trial after a Boise car accident unless there are serious injuries involved or there are claims made against one party that they dispute. It is possible that you will need to go to court to present the information you have. If you are unwilling to do that, let the police know in advance. Yet, most often, it will be helpful to do so when needed.
Even if you did nothing wrong and just saw what happened, it can be critical to have a car accident attorney in Boise, Idaho, by your side throughout this process. In some situations, car accidents end with a simple settlement between the parties. Other times that doesn’t occur, and the case will go to court. In this situation, you could be a part of the lawsuit based on the information that you report. Try not to speculate and only provide accurate information based on facts.
Don’t wait to get help either. Contact Craig Swapp & Associates for immediate guidance.
Contact the attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates for comprehensive, reliable legal support no matter what you are facing. Our highly experienced car accident attorney in Boise, Idaho, can help you.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp