What is a Good Samaritan? A Good Samaritan is a person who helps other people and especially strangers when they have trouble. What do Good Samaritans do in car accidents? They are looking out for their fellow driver after a car accident and we all know after an accident that a little bit of help can go a long way. Sometimes it means heroically moving a victim from a burning car, but more often it means calling 911 or offering some reassuring words as that injured driver waits for help to arrive.
Recently, there was an accident on Highway 29 that claimed the life of a Gulf Breeze man who had stopped to help the people involved in the wreck. This Good Samaritan is now being called a hero. WEAR TV reports that a 29-year-old male and his friend were driving back from Molino when they came across the accident just before 6 p.m. The 29-year-old’s friend told WEAR-TV that it was his friend’s instinct to jump out and help. Apparently, the Good Samaritan picked the vehicle that was closest to the highway and his friend picked one that was in the woods to help.
The Good Samaritan was struck by a pickup shortly after. His friend who was with him is still in shock about his death. He told WEAR – “He has two kids and he has one on the way. His wife is seven months pregnant. He was a family man for sure. He worked three jobs. He would do anything to provide for his family.
What can you do to be a Good Samaritan after a car accident? Esurance gives us some good tips:
- Park safely away from the crash
If you were driving when the crash happened, park at least 100 feet from the scene. This allows you to survey the scene from a safe distance and make sure you’re not in immediate danger. It also helps make sure emergency vehicles have a clear path.
- Signal the crash for other motorists or emergency personnel
This can be done by flicking on your hazard lights. And if you have flares or traffic triangles, put them to good use.
- Assess the situation
Keep your distance while sizing up possible injuries and possible victims (who may have been thrown from their cars) or hazardous conditions like broken glass, leaked fuel, or fallen power lines. If there’s any hint of leaked fuel, do not use flares.
- Call 911
Don’t assume someone else called. Be ready to relay pertinent details like the location of the incident, number of people involved, and severity of their injuries. If someone else witnessed the accident, ask that person to call 911 while you continue to seek ways to help.
- If it’s safe to proceed, assist victims who need help
Try to talk to those who are hurt. Don’t move them, as this could worsen their injuries. Just be calming and assure them that help is coming. You can also cover them with something warm if they need it, shade them from the sun, or just hold their hand. Remember, you’re not a medical professional (unless, of course, you are one). So it’s not your job to treat injuries – just try to keep victims safe until professional help arrives.
- Stabilize the cars
If victims have been tended to and it’s safe to move around the scene, put any vehicles involved in “park” and turn the ignition off. And if it’s a minor incident and the drivers are up to it, you could help them push their cars out of further harm’s way.
https://www.esurance.com/info/car/how-to-be-a-good-samaritan-after-a-car-accident
