Collisions involving injuries require immediate and specific responses to save lives and comply with legal requirements. St. John Ambulance recommends that all drivers carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and know how to use it.
Immediate Response:
Every driver involved in a collision must stay at the scene or return to it immediately and give all possible assistance. If you are not personally involved in a collision, you should stop to offer help if police or other officials have not arrived.
In a collision with injuries, possible fuel leaks or serious vehicle damage, stay calm and follow these steps:
1. Call for Help:
Call for help or have someone else call. By law, you must report any collision to the police when there are injuries or damage to vehicles or other property exceeding $5,000.
2. Secure the Scene:
Turn off all engines and turn on emergency flashers. Set up warning signals or flares, or have someone warn approaching drivers. This prevents secondary collisions.
3. Fire Safety:
Do not let anyone smoke, light a match or put flares near any vehicle, in case of a fuel leak. If a vehicle is on fire, get the people out and make sure everyone is well out of the way. If there is no danger of fire or explosion, leave injured people where they are until trained medical help arrives.
4. First Aid Response:
If you are trained in first aid, treat injuries in the order of urgency, within the level of your training. For example, clear the person's airway to restore breathing, give rescue breathing or stop bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth.
If you are not trained in first aid, use common sense. For example, people in collisions often go into shock. Cover the person with a jacket or blanket to reduce the effects of shock.
5. Stay with Victims:
Stay with injured people until help arrives. Provide comfort and reassurance while waiting for emergency services.
6. Vehicle Safety:
Disabled vehicles on the road may be a danger to you and other drivers. Do what you can to make sure everyone involved in a collision is kept safe.
First Aid Priorities:
- Ensure scene safety first
- Check for responsiveness
- Open airway if trained
- Control serious bleeding
- Treat for shock
- Monitor vital signs if trained
- Provide comfort and reassurance
All drivers must stay at scene and give possible assistance
Stop to help if not personally involved and no officials present
Stay calm in injury collisions with fuel leaks or serious damage
Call for help immediately - legal requirement for injuries
Must report collisions with injuries or damage over $5,000