Scenario: You witness a terrible car accident. Do you leave the scene or wait & report what happened?

I witnessed a terrible car accident. There were 5+ other vehicles who were at the scene and witnessed this accident. They all took off. The gentleman who's car was hit was severely injured with a head injury. I can't fathom the idea of leaving injured people to fend for themselves. What's your opinion?
Additional Details
I witnessed a terrible car accident. There were 5+ other vehicles who were at the scene and witnessed this accident. They all took off. The gentleman who's car was hit was severely injured with a head injury. I can't fathom the idea of leaving injured people to fend for themselves. I called 911 & stayed until the ambulance/police came to speak with them.

What's your opinion?

raels1

why do so many people not want to get involved. congratulations for caring. i agree with ciaom in the fact of the contact with the victim and perhaps you should have approached the police after a while to see if they wanted a statement and to give details of where you could be contacted and sort of get permission to leave the scene. i am a firm believer that a few words of comfort to an injured person and even holding a hand speaks volumes. keep caring.

UCANTCME

1. call 911 right away.

2. check on the injured people but do not move them unless there is a fire.

3. wait until the police arrive.

4. get them all of the details that you can remember.

5. give them all of your information.

ciaom

In some countries in Europe it is illegal to leave the scene if you witness an accident.

Well if you have a cellphone than it's easy all you have to do is call 911 or *999.

But stopping you car and actually helping, well to be honest I have never been given the chance to find out. But I think you need to make sure that you are not too close with your vehicle because if the other car start on fire. Well let's just say you need to be very aware of the surrounds and what's going on.

I personally feel there is no harm in approaching the victim and saying I'm on the phone with the operator do you want me to call someone for you or can I tell the operator where you hurt. But then you need to leave because by the time the police come and the entire entourage you will be in the way.

Bob

Did they at least call 911?

If there are already a couple of people at the scene and 911 was called, having more people won't help, so then the extra people can leave.

briguy0103

I would use my better judgement to analyze two major factors. First of all, can I help the driver(s) and passenger(s). If I am in a position where I could offer assistance, I would. However, I'm not going to do anything that will get in the way of the proffessional help. Secondly, is my witness account worth something? If I think I saw something someone else didn't, which may change the analysis of who is at fault, I would stay to tell the authorities my account. I've never seen a serious, or questionable-fault accident occur in front of me, so I have never stopped. The worst I've seen is a couple of stop and go traffic fender benders.

Stangman

As a human, you SHOULD stop and help in any way you can, be it administering physical aid or simply telling the police what you saw. I'm 100% certain that in all states, witnesses are expected, if not even lawfully obligated, to stay at the scene until dismissed by police.

tennisplayer_stone

Please please please wait and report what happened!! Something similar happened when my grandparents were re-ended by a drunk driver who left the scene. My grandfather was killed in this accadent but because people stopped and called 911 and gave a report of what happened they were able to track the guy down within and hour and he was put in jail. If you can't stop please call 911.

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