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Should You Stay If You Witness an Accident?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

As long as you are not involved in the car accident, you are not legally obligated to remain at the scene as a witness. There is no state law in New York, New Jersey, or elsewhere in the U.S. that requires witnesses to remain at an accident scene. However, it is considered good practice to offer aid to injured or incapacitated individuals. There are a number of things you can do to assist the victims of the accident. However, you should take care not to put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily.

What to do immediately after witnessing a car accident

Immediately after you witness an accident, you can begin looking for a safe place to pull over if you feel inclined to lend your assistance. Do not park so close to the wrecked vehicles that your car would be in the way of emergency responders. Remember to turn on your hazard lights and park your car well away from the road.

Then, call 911 before you even leave your car. If someone is seriously injured, every second counts. The sooner they receive medical attention, the greater their chance of survival will be. Inform the emergency dispatcher that an accident has happened, and give the exact location of the crash. If you’re on a highway, you can inform the dispatcher of the nearest mile marker or exit. If you’re on a city street or in a rural area, the dispatcher will need to know the nearest cross street.

What to do next

If you’re on the shoulder of a busy highway, it may be best if you remain in your vehicle. However, if it’s safe for you to do so, you can exit your car to check on the crash victims. Before you approach the vehicle, look for signs of smoke. Moving toward a vehicle that could catch fire can be very dangerous. However, if you are able to check on the victims, be sure to advise the emergency dispatcher of their condition. If a crash victim appears to have an injured back or neck, do not try to move them. In fact, it’s best not to move a crash victim at all unless the car is at risk of catching fire. It’s possible that you may make the injury worse.

Next, if you’re able to do so, make sure the crashed vehicle is in park and the ignition is turned off. This can prevent a vehicle fire. The next thing you should do is set up road flares or traffic triangles, if any are available.

What to do when emergency responders arrive

You’re not obligated to stay on the scene until help arrives as long as you were not involved in the accident. However, doing so is helpful for the individuals involved. Inform the police that you are a witness, and let them know exactly what you saw happen. Provide your contact information. You can expect to be contacted in the coming days, perhaps by insurance agents, investigators, or car accident attorneys. Just be honest and clear with your answers.

Where to turn for legal assistance after a car accident

If you’re involved in a crash, you need qualified legal guidance you can count on. Since 1975, the car accident attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. have been helping clients recover maximum compensation for their injuries so they can move on with their lives after a crash.

We are committed to resolving your legal matter in an efficient, effective manner that brings about the favorable results you need. Our legal team can negotiate with the insurance company to get the highest possible settlement offer or, if necessary, we will file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf. Our aggressive trial lawyers are proud to serve Bergen County, New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. Call today for a free consultation.

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   LWelsh 
 36 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 57 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 121 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 124 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 130 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 136 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 159 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 172 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 179 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 182 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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