If you are involved in a car accident that involves property damage and injuries, it is crucial that you call 911 as soon as possible to report the accident. Dispatch will send a police officer and ambulance to the accident scene. While the moments immediately following an accident can be stressful and chaotic, it is important that you try to remain calm, answer all of the police officer’s questions, and allow the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to assess the severity of your injuries. Emergency responders are highly skilled at managing the scene of an accident, providing emergency medical care, and getting the accident scene cleared as soon as possible.
If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident that another motorist caused, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.
What Do Police Officers Do Upon Arriving at the Scene of an Accident?
Once the accident has been reported to 911, dispatch will send a police officer to the crash scene. You must remain calm and not leave the scene of the accident for any reason. When the police officer arrives at the scene, they will perform the following duties:
- Speak to the motorists involved in the accident. The responding officer will interview all parties involved and witnesses who saw the accident happen. The officer will collect contact information, insurance information, and other information pertinent to the police report. Make sure that you answer all questions honestly while only sticking to the facts.
- Take photos of the accident scene. The police officer may take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, license plates, and any skid marks or debris on the road. Even if the police officer takes photos, taking pictures of your own is still a good idea. These photos can provide valuable evidence in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
- Conduct a field sobriety test. If there is reason to believe that one or more of the motorists involved in the accident were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the officer may conduct a field sobriety test or transport the driver to a medical facility for a blood test. If tests come back positive for drugs or alcohol, they may be arrested.
- Issue traffic citations. If any motorist involved in the accident was speeding, driving while distracted, driving recklessly, or violating any other traffic laws, the police officer may issue a traffic citation.
- Write the police report. The responding officer will fill out an official police report, which will include the following information:
- Time, date, and location of the accident.
- Names and contact information of all people involved in the accident.
- Names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Statements from parties involved in the accident.
- Conditions at the scene of the accident.
- Whether traffic citations were issued.
- Descriptions of property damage and injuries.
- The officer’s opinion about the cause of the accident and who was at fault.
What Are the Responsibilities of EMTs at the Scene of an Accident?
When EMTs are dispatched to the scene of a car accident, it means that the accident caused injuries requiring immediate medical attention. EMTs have been trained to provide urgent medical care at the accident scene, onboard the ambulance on the way to the hospital, or both. The following are examples of the important and often life-saving services that EMTs provide:
- Assessment and Triage: As soon as EMTs arrive at the accident scene, they will immediately assess the situation, determine the severity of the injuries, and determine the best course of treatment through triage, which is a crucial step that involves identifying the most serious, life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. Depending on the nature of the injury, EMTs may provide a range of medical interventions, from controlling bleeding and immobilizing fractures to addressing airway and breathing complications and employing other strategies to monitor the patient’s vital signs and ensure that they remain steady.
- Communication Responsibilities: An EMT’s responsibility is to collaborate with other first responders, communicate with the patient and their family members, and provide detailed medical information to fellow healthcare providers upon arrival at the hospital. They must maintain meticulous documentation, including vital signs, necessary interventions, patient history, and other details necessary to provide proper patient care. EMTs often provide emotional support and reassurance when communicating with the patient’s family members.
- Prepare Patients for Transportation: EMTs must also use the proper lifting techniques when transferring patients to a stretcher or moving them into the ambulance. This is crucial for the patient’s safety and to prevent the EMTs from suffering any lifting-related injuries. Once safely inside the ambulance, EMTs may need to administer medications that are tailored to emergency situations. This includes epinephrine for severe allergic reactions, nitroglycerin for chest pain, and aspirin for suspected heart attacks.
- Other Responsibilities: An EMT’s specific responsibilities may differ based on their certification level. For example, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic each have different responsibilities when providing critical care at accident scenes. Regardless of their certification, EMTs’ quick-thinking and compassionate care during high-stress situations like car accidents are essential to saving lives in emergencies.
As a car accident victim, understanding the role of emergency responders will help you navigate the moments following the accident much more calmly. This is particularly true if you suffered serious injuries and you hope to recover damages from the at-fault party. An experienced car accident lawyer will protect your legal rights and assist you with every step of the claims process.
Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Seek Compensation for Car Accident Victims
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC as soon as possible. We will review the details of your case. To schedule a free consultation, call 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.