What to do in the event of a vehicular accident

First, to avoid accidents from happening, never drive under the influence of an illegal substance or when you are heavily intoxicated or extremely fatigued. Sometimes, getting a cab, an Uber, or Lyft can save your life. If you get into a minor accident by yourself, like if you rear-ended a car on the highway, quickly pull over and assess the situation. If you can't remember how or why the accident occurred, you could have had a seizure or momentarily lost consciousness. If this happens, have yourself checked at a hospital.

If you get into a major accident, the first thing you need to do once you gain consciousness is to check yourself for injuries. Because of the amount of adrenalin pumping in your veins, it might be hard to notice bruises or wounds. After making sure that you are okay, check on your passengers. If you can, phone for emergency services. Slowly make your way out of your vehicle and get to a safe distance as the gas line could have been ruptured by the collision. Even if you are mostly unharmed in what may look like a fatal crash, Capt. Martin Sanders recommends going to the hospital to get checked for internal injuries. Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, is a seasoned public health and safety professional. For similar reads on public safety, visit this website. Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.