Car accidents are common on the roads and can traumatise both the victims and the witnesses.
The actions taken immediately after an accident are detrimental to the victim’s health and may save a life. It is, therefore, essential to know how to provide first aid and secure the scene of the accident.
If you want to help someone involved in a car accident to seek legal redress, kindly contact an auto accident lawyer in Tallahassee on our website, and they will offer the best legal services to help the victim seek justice.
Some of the things you can do to help the victim of a car accident as you wait for the emergency medical personnel to arrive include:
1. Secure the scene of the accident
Ensure that the accident scene is safe for you and the people around you by ensuring that the oncoming traffic does not aggravate the situation and that there are no further accidents or casualties. You should do this by; stopping all incoming traffic, putting vehicle hazard lights on, and using a warning triangle, if available, on the road so that other drivers are aware of the accident ahead.
2. Contact Emergency Medical Services
Call 911 and provide as much information regarding the accident and the victim. If the casualty is conscious, let them know that you have called for emergency services, as this will help ease their anxiety. The information you provide during the 911 call may include the following:
- The location of the accident
- The victim’s physical condition, including visible injuries
- Any potential blockage that the emergency services providers may encounter on their way to the scene
- Questions on how to administer first aid
3. Providing First Aid to the victim
The patient’s responsiveness is the most important thing to note when providing first aid to a casualty of a car accident. A person talking, screaming, or making noise is often in a better health condition than a quiet casualty. If they are unconscious but breathing, you should lay them in a position where they are leaning forward or on their side to ensure their airway is clear and they can live without much difficulty.
When giving the casualty first aid, other crucial things to look for include:
- If they are not breathing, perform manual resuscitation.
- Refrain from removing the person from their car unless there is a threat of an explosion.
- Keep an eye on the person because they might wander off in shock and hurt themselves.
- Keep them warm and at ease as you wait for the police and emergency personnel.
- Keep an eye out for shock in the victims, as this could cause their hearts to stop. Some symptoms include weakness, fainting, ashen skin, vomiting, enlarged pupils, and confusion.
According to the Florida Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report from 2017, an estimated 1,098 car crashes happen daily in Florida, while the Florida Crash Dashboard indicated that 401,537 crashes occurred in 2021. Based on these statistics, it is likely that you will witness a car accident at least once in your lifetime and may have to help the victims.
Contact us to learn more about the legal options available for car accident victims if you or someone you know is affected, we will walk you through the legal journey.