Traffic accidents can be small incidents like bicycle accidents or more severe ones like car crashes. It is important to make sure the area is safe before you help anyone who has been hurt. This will keep you, injured people, and other drivers safe.
Once you have confirmed the safety of an area, take a quick look at the people who are hurt. Decide who needs help the most urgently. Always conduct first aid on a casualty who is not breathing before you help anyone else.
Call 999 for emergency help. Inform them about what has happened. This includes information such as:
- The number of people who are hurt
- The age of the injured people
- Are the injuries critical or non-critical?
What To Do If You Witness a Road Accident
If you come across a road accident, a step-by-step method should be followed:
Scene Safety Assessment
When you approach an accident scene, safety comes first. To avoid further injuries, ensure all traffic stops, and everyone knows about the accident.
Keep an eye out for any oncoming traffic that could pose a danger. Check for fuel spillage or fire risks, and turn off car ignitions if possible. Use hazard lights and warning triangles if available.
If there are other people around, ask them to call emergency services. If alone, assess the situation and help anyone with life-threatening injuries first.
Check the Quiet Ones First
Always prioritise checking quiet and motionless individuals first. Check if they are responsive and breathing. If they are unresponsive but breathing, position them to keep their airway clear and keep them warm.
Administer CPR on Unconscious People
If someone is not breathing, you may need to administer CPR. Call an ambulance immediately if you have not already done so. Only move an unconscious person from a vehicle if there is an immediate danger.
Determine the Safety of Conscious People
Conscious casualties should be moved to a safe area and kept warm and calm. Look out for any severe bleeding or life-threatening injuries and treat them first. Monitor anyone trapped in a vehicle and notify emergency services immediately.
Be Careful How and When You Move Them
Only remove a motorcyclist’s helmet if they are unconscious, and it is necessary to assess their breathing. If a casualty is lying on their back unconscious and breathing, roll them into the recovery position with help to avoid twisting their spine.
The Recovery Position:
To place someone in the recovery position, straighten their legs. Remove any glasses or bulky items from their pockets. Position the nearest arm at a right angle to the body, with the palm facing upward. Bring the other arm across the chest. Place the back of the hand against the nearest cheek. Lift the far knee and gently roll them onto their side by pulling on the far leg.
If they are conscious and lying on the road, encourage them to stay still and support their head and neck until help arrives.
Following these steps, you can provide crucial assistance at a road accident scene and help keep everyone safe until professional help arrives.
Ready to Learn More?
Knowing how to conduct first aid in a road accident is important, but there's more to it. Our First Aid courses offer complete training to help you handle critical situations. Whether you want to improve your skills or workplace safety, these courses help build confidence and expertise. View our Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and Level 3 First Aid at Work courses. These courses meet the UK legal requirements and help you keep people safe.