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Many things can happen in an intersection, but no matter what, it should always be treated with care. Knowing what to look for and following these 6 Do’s and 6 Don’ts will help you understand how to keep yourself and others safe at the collision scene.

6 Do’s

1. Do not move or run off after any car mishap:

Do not take off and run away from the scene. It will only make matters worse for you and the people involved. You could get into an accident or land at a nearby intersection at the wrong place and cause even more problems.

2. Do not touch any of the vehicles:

If there are no visible signs of damage to any cars, do not touch them either! You could be exposed to bacteria, viruses, or other contaminants that could affect your health or cause toxic shock syndrome. Before you touch anything that is not damaged, call your local police department for help.

3. Do not make phone calls or use the radio without a police officer’s approval:

Make sure that you do not use your cellular phone, radio, or any other communication device unless the officer gives you the approval to do so. Using your electronic device at an accident scene is not only unsafe, but it can cause many problems as well. You could accidentally interfere with the communications of emergency or law enforcement services.

4. Seek medical attention

You should seek medical assistance if anyone has been injured in a car accident. If you are not a trained healthcare provider, do not attempt to treat anyone. If any of the people involved were transported to the hospital, ensure they were given all the necessary care.

5. Document the incident

Do not assume that you will be able to remember what happened. A good description of the accident and its potential causes could help law enforcement officials and insurance adjusters when they are investigating the incident. Car accidents happen for many reasons, but you should tell everyone involved what happened as accurately as possible.

6. Do not go anywhere until the police arrive.

It would be best if you stood at the scene of a car accident until local police or other emergency service personnel arrived. It would be best if you also refrain from moving any vehicles or doing anything else until they have arrived either on their own or after being directed by someone at the scene.

6 Don’ts

1. Do not attempt to handle the clean-up of car fluids by yourself:

It would help if you did not move any spills or leaks in a car accident. It would be best if you didn’t touch any liquids or substances spilled on the ground or vehicles. Instead, call for help before dealing with any chemicals, hazardous materials, or unknown substances present at the accident scene.

2. Do not handle injuries until an emergency care provider has examined them:

It would be best if you never assumed that anyone is safe after being in a car accident unless they have been checked over by someone who knows what to look for and how to treat and stabilize injuries.

3. Do not move personal property away from the scene:

You should avoid moving anything from the accident aside from photographs or other personal items readily identifiable in accident scenes. Avoid moving electronics, small instruments, purses, wallets, or other objects that could have been knocked off a car and tossed onto the ground or into ditches or gutter areas.

4. Do not move any vehicles until an officer tells you to do so:

Do not move any of the vehicles that are involved in an accident. The site officer is there to ensure that everything is safe and secure. They can help guide you in the right direction. The car accident victims should be the last to leave the scene unless they need immediate medical attention.

5. Do not touch the car doors or handles until they have been inspected:

You should avoid touching anything on a vehicle like the handles, door panels, steering wheel, seats, and seat belts without first making sure that it does not affect how well you will be able to do your job in investigating the accident scene. Avoid touching anything that might have come into contact with chemicals or other hazardous materials that could cause damage to your hands or fingers.

6. Do not remove or move any debris:

Although you should always avoid moving large objects in a car accident, you should also ensure that even minor items like glass or other pieces of metal should be left in place. Do not move things that could reveal the actual cause of the crash, and do not disturb evidence on the scene.