If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in an automobile or truck accident there are a number of first aid steps you can follow that may help save the lives of your passengers or other persons in the other vehicles involved in the collision. Consider the following information.
First, keep a first aid kit in your car. It should include band-aids of many sizes and several ace wraps, gauze, adhesive tape, water, goggles, cotton balls, cold packs, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly and a first aid manual, scissors, needle, save a tooth storage device, soap and/or hand sanitizer.
Medications to have on hand include such things as benedryl, anti-diarrhea, calamine lotion and aspirin. Also a flashlight, candles, blanket, flares and sunscreen will round out the kit.
If you are alert immediately after the collision carefully determine if you have any broken bones or other injuries that would require you to remain still. If not then begin checking the condition of the other passengers. Do not move them if they appear to be in a great amount of stress.
Instead, place a blanket over them and try to keep them calm. It is likely that any witnesses to the accident have already contacted emergency services - however, this does not preclude you making the call a second time.
Now, if you are in a collision and it appears the car is in jeopardy of catching on fire - for instance, if you smell anything burning - then try to get yourself and other passengers as far away from the vehicle as possible. Otherwise it is not a good idea to move a person. Trained medical personnel will be able to determine the extent of an accident victim's injuries better than a layman.
If a person is moved incorrectly then they risk further injury to their spine and other internal organs.
Finally, stem any free-flowing blood by adding pressure to the area...and wait calmly for help to arrive.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston 18 wheeler accident attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with a Houston semi truck accident attorney call the Baumgartner firm.
