Car Accident on freeway

[Navster]

I get off school around 8pm and as im driving home, as I exit the freeway I notice a vechile that hit the off ramp and was banged up pretty bad... As i'm driving im wondering why there are no emergency lights on, So i got curious and pulled over... I went up the car and I found an old lady sitting the driver side unconscious, I tried getting in but all 4 doors were locked, so I quickly called 911 and told them what i just found... The cops arrived after a few minutes and got into the vehicle, I saw the lady move her head so I pray that shes ok...

What upsets me is that there were many cars that drove by and did nothing...

If i didnt pull over i can imagine how long she would of been sitting there... Lets pray that she will be ok...

CHP thanked me for what i did and said i can go...

[Lord_Stewie]

Thanks god for people like you. But face this fact society is ignorant unfortunately.

but two thumbs up for what you did.

Hope she is okay.

[LeAnn]

I am so proud that you stopped!!! I was in a rather nasty accident in 2006 and the ONE person who stopped was a truck who was in front of me who noticed I had disappeared. The thing was, 1. I was run off the road, in 2. 7am rush hour traffic, 3. across a median, 4. right in front of oncoming traffic, 5. down into trees and NO ONE else stopped to see if I was ok.

Thank goodness for someone like you!

[Grumpz]

Awesome that you stopped. I rolled a car on the highway 2 yrs ago, not sure how long I was out for as I was concussed, but when things cleared up, I sat for no less than 2 minutes waiting for someone to help me. The snow had piled up around me and my legs were stuck. It's a damn busy stretch of highway, so after the smoke cleared the next day, I was quite angry. I figure 40 cars went by before "Billy" helped me out. I walked away from it with some bumps and bruises but it could of been worse.

You did a great thing and should have no problems patting yourself on the back.

[Psychonaut]

I think people are too scared to help anymore. If you move them of do something they don't like, you find yourself getting sued just for trying to be a decent human being. If there weren't some truely rotten people out there (and worse yet, a system that entertains this crap) it might be a little happier place.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

I think people are too scared to help anymore. If you move them of do something they don't like, you find yourself getting sued just for trying to be a decent human being. If there weren't some truely rotten people out there (and worse yet, a system that entertains this crap) it might be a little happier place.

Forget the obvious, that's another amazing difference between Canada and the US. We've got the Good Samartin Act in Canada. People can try, but no one has ever won a suit againt someone trying to help them from harm.

It shouldn't be allowed.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

Forget gun laws, that's another amazing difference between Canada and the US. We've got the Good Samartin Act in Canada. People can try, but no one has ever won a suit againt someone trying to help them from harm.

It shouldn't be allowed.

And just why did you feel you needed to say that in a thread about helping an injured motorist? It has nothing to do with the topic and will only cause the thread to be derailed and eventually closed.

As for the Good Samaritan Act, I would fully support such a law in the US as long as it is written properly. You cannot simply exempt someone from liability simply because "they were trying to help". Take this accident, for instance (or any similar accident). One should NEVER move a victim unless there is some pending danger to them because you could do more harm than good. If I find someone unconcious in a wrecked car and decide to drag them out and I end up paralyzing them because of my actions, I should be held liable. If the car was on fire and I felt there was real danger of the person dying, then I should not. Laws should not protect the ignorant and stupid, simply because they meant well.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

And just why did you feel you needed to say that in a thread about helping an injured motorist? It has nothing to do with the topic and will only cause the thread to be derailed and eventually closed.

As for the Good Samaritan Act, I would fully support such a law in the US as long as it is written properly. You cannot simply exempt someone from liability simply because "they were trying to help". Take this accident, for instance (or any similar accident). One should NEVER move a victim unless there is some pending danger to them because you could do more harm than good. If I find someone unconcious in a wrecked car and decide to drag them out and I end up paralyzing them because of my actions, I should be held liable. If the car was on fire and I felt there was real danger of the person dying, then I should not. Laws should not protect the ignorant and stupid, simply because they meant well.

Relax.

As for your response, I completely disagree. Again, by writing the law as you suggest only creates situation where people either don't assist some one in need at all, or hesitate in fear of a law suit.

I agree that someone could cause further injury, but I gaurentee you, more people per capita die waiting for help, than die or become severely injured being helped/saved by a bystander.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

As for the Good Samaritan Act, I would fully support such a law in the US as long as it is written properly. You cannot simply exempt someone from liability simply because "they were trying to help". Take this accident, for instance (or any similar accident). One should NEVER move a victim unless there is some pending danger to them because you could do more harm than good. If I find someone unconcious in a wrecked car and decide to drag them out and I end up paralyzing them because of my actions, I should be held liable. If the car was on fire and I felt there was real danger of the person dying, then I should not. Laws should not protect the ignorant and stupid, simply because they meant well.

A good samaritan law with those types of exemptions would have little to no effect on how citizens actually treat each other in emergency situations. There would still be the fear that doing something wrong would result in a suit.... so there would still be plenty of inaction. Very few people have any emergency aid training whatsoever, so a law with exemptions would basically require everyone to take an emergency medicine course before they'd feel safe to help a fellow citizen in need. I think everyone SHOULD have some level of training... but that of course is never going to happen. What if someone pulls a neck injury out of a car because they thought they smelled gas? In their mind they were saving the person's life. There would just be too many variables in deciding whether the person giving aid was truly negligent. A law with too many what if's would be as ineffective as no law at all.

There are even laws in place in some areas that actually penalize good samaritans. There are places that state that once you begin CPR, you can not stop until an emergency responder arrives. Anyone who has ever done CPR knows that when done properly, it is truly exhausting. You can't legislate human endurance. This just results in people never even starting CPR for fear they will not be able to continue it as long as needed. How does that help a victim?

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

I think people are too scared to help anymore. If you move them of do something they don't like, you find yourself getting sued just for trying to be a decent human being. If there weren't some truely rotten people out there (and worse yet, a system that entertains this crap) it might be a little happier place.

That is terrible that in these days we actually have to think about that while in an emergency. I'd like to think most people would be the good guy, weigh the situation - help if needed and call 911. In today's world everyone owns a cell and it's just a matter of a few minutes before responders get there (in mid to larger cities). It's best to call in the emergency if you know the response time is quick.

Rural settings are a different story. Sometimes help is 30 minutes or more away and if the options are slim, helping out is the right thing to do. I don't want to turn this into a tort reform discussion.

To OP - Great job, you did the right thing. The professionals were just minutes away and handled the situation. I'm glad that there are people out there that are willing to help their fellow man.

[Navster]

Thanks for all the great comments guys, i really appreciate it, as the weather starts changing and we get more rain, I hope people really do slow down, better safe than sorry...

I'm sure any one of you would have done the same thing!

[Uniquely]

I would, and have in the past. I saw a drunk girl flip her car twice, and land on it's roof, right in front of me. I had a hell of a time trying to convince her to stay put until EMS got there. I think most people would reach out to help in such situations without thinking about the possible repurcussions of providing help, but it is sad that those repurcussions do exist.

[Chordata]

Nice work, OP. You're a hero plain and simple. Who knows what might've happened if you didn't act. People are too lazy, busy, and/or scared to help, and it's a very unfortunate thing.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

If i didnt pull over i can imagine how long she would of been sitting there... Lets pray that she will be ok...

GJ , they'll wonder the same thing next time they have a family member in something like that and nobody does anything.

[Psychonaut]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

That is terrible that in these days we actually have to think about that while in an emergency. I'd like to think most people would be the good guy, weigh the situation - help if needed and call 911. In today's world everyone owns a cell and it's just a matter of a few minutes before responders get there (in mid to larger cities). It's best to call in the emergency if you know the response time is quick.

I know. I was a victim of helping someone when I was younger. Granted, I was a kid so I wasn't sued or anything but she called my house, told my father a blatant lie which resulted in me getting my ass kicked in for "knocking an old lady off her bike". That kind of stuff jades you after a while. If I did see a wreck, I would stop and call for help, just not touch them in any way unless the car was on fire.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

A good samaritan law with those types of exemptions would have little to no effect on how citizens actually treat each other in emergency situations. There would still be the fear that doing something wrong would result in a suit.... so there would still be plenty of inaction. Very few people have any emergency aid training whatsoever, so a law with exemptions would basically require everyone to take an emergency medicine course before they'd feel safe to help a fellow citizen in need. I think everyone SHOULD have some level of training... but that of course is never going to happen. What if someone pulls a neck injury out of a car because they thought they smelled gas? In their mind they were saving the person's life. There would just be too many variables in deciding whether the person giving aid was truly negligent. A law with too many what if's would be as ineffective as no law at all.

There are even laws in place in some areas that actually penalize good samaritans. There are places that state that once you begin CPR, you can not stop until an emergency responder arrives. Anyone who has ever done CPR knows that when done properly, it is truly exhausting. You can't legislate human endurance. This just results in people never even starting CPR for fear they will not be able to continue it as long as needed. How does that help a victim?

That's a good point, but I still don't think people should be given carte blanche when it comes to 'helping' others. Unfortunately, however you write the law, there will always be situations in which a victim is hurt either by actions or inactions of others. It's too bad common sense plays no part in our litigious society. I supposed when it comes down to it, I'd rather have a good samaritan law with no strings than no law at all. My guess is that the overall good would far outweigh the occasional harm.

[ManUtd]

NavsterKing, I wholeheartedly admire what you have done. Great job!

[FindYourWay]

You did the right thing and that's quite admirable.
I was born and raised in the Bay Area...so it's always good to know there are decent and cool folks like you running around.

[pmac]

Originally Posted by Psychonaut

I think people are too scared to help anymore. If you move them of do something they don't like, you find yourself getting sued just for trying to be a decent human being. If there weren't some truely rotten people out there (and worse yet, a system that entertains this crap) it might be a little happier place.

+1 couldn't have said it better myself.

EDIT: On topic...Pat yourself on the back it is deserved.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

That's a good point, but I still don't think people should be given carte blanche when it comes to 'helping' others. Unfortunately, however you write the law, there will always be situations in which a victim is hurt either by actions or inactions of others. It's too bad common sense plays no part in our litigious society. I supposed when it comes down to it, I'd rather have a good samaritan law with no strings than no law at all. My guess is that the overall good would far outweigh the occasional harm.

Nail

on

Head!