Your first instinctive response to seeing a car accident that doesn’t involve you is probably a quick thank you to the Maker for sparing you followed by a prayer that the occupants of the car or cars involved are safe.  But then what?  Do you keep going on your merry way, shaken but secure?  Or do you stop and render assistance?  The first few minutes may mean the difference between life and death for a person in a car accident.  But you won’t be any help if you can’t keep your own cool.  What good are you if you’re dead simply because you ran across the road to offer help and managed to get yourself run over by a driver who was rubber-necking?

Help the right way.

• Turn on your hazard or warning lights.
• Check to see if anyone is injured; understand that it’s usually the quiet ones you’ve got to worry about, not the screaming raving lunatics.
• Call 911 or whatever emergency number you need to dial on your cell phone; provide as exact a location as possible, using mileage post markings if needed.
• Try to record the details as you note them, either in writing or on your phone; you may be required to offer testimony or evidence at a future date.
• Don’t move anyone unless there is danger of fire or explosion.
• Offer first aid if you’re qualified to do so.
• Offer comfort if you’re not qualified to do anything else.  Often that’s the most important thing of all.

Above all, stay calm; the victims are stressed out enough, they don’t need you whacking them out any more.