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Although even witnessing an accidentcan be harrowing, you should try to stay calm. Avoid panicking and potentiallycausing another accident by running across the road to help.
If you are in your own car, use yourhazard lights to warn approaching traffic of an incident.
Once at the scene of the accident,your first priority should be to check if anyone is injured and if so call 999for an ambulance and .Be aware that someone who is screaming may actually be less badly hurt thansomeone who is quiet or moaning.
Let the 999 operator know the extentof any injuries, and stay at the scene as the emergency services may rely onyou to let them know the location of the accident.
The people involved in the accidentmay ask you to give an impartial witness account of what happened. If you dothis, write down your evidence and keep your original notes, as it may be sometime before any claims are settled or court proceedings are heard.
You are not obliged by law to give awitness account, although if you don't, the police may require you instead togive a witness statement.
All vehicles involved in an accidentare required to stop - regardless of who was to blame - so they can exchangedetails for purposes. This is even more pressing if someone is injured in the accident. Soif you see someone driving away from the scene, make a note of theirregistration plate number.
Don't attempt to move anyone who isinjured unless the emergency services have advised so, but make sure they arereasonably comfortable. If you suspect there are broken bones, don't evenconsider moving an injured person. Cover the person in a blanket until theemergency services arrive. They need to keep warm, particularly as they'relikely to be shocked.
If you know first aid and you cansee how it could help, apply it to any casualties before the emergency servicesarrive. Limit bleeding by applying force to the wound and raising up theinjured part as much as is possible.