It seems like an unfortunately common tale. Someone’s vehicle is having car issues or they’ve been involved in a minor accident. Another driver acts as a Good Samaritan, they exit the vehicle to help a person out. The next thing you know, they’ve been hit by another driver and now they’re involved in a motor vehicle collision.
There are many cases where Good Samaritans are able to help drivers in grave danger, but there are also scenarios where they’re hurt instead.
In March, a Kitchener woman died during an attempt to help a stranded motorist west of Collingwood, Ont. Her and her husband spotted the driver who’d been involved in a collision due to whiteout conditions on the highway, according to the Barrie Examiner. She was struck by an SUV who slid out while approaching the scene.
In February, a 21-year-old man from Ottawa was killed on his way to work after he stopped to help a driver involved in an accident. He was travelling on the Highway 400 towards Toronto, when he drove past an accident where a van had flipped and landed on its roof with the driver trapped inside. After pulling over to a shoulder of the highway, he approached the car, but he didn’t see an incoming tractor-trailer, which killed him, according to the Ottawa Citizen.
In 2012, a Good Samaritan got out of his vehicle to help another driver change his flat tire west of Edmonton. The man was putting out hazard triangles on the highway, when he was struck in a hit and run incident, according to the Edmonton Sun. Recently, the family filed a $1 million negligence lawsuit against the driver, which includes allegations such as driving without due care and attention, driving negligently and operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
While we always want to stop and help, it’s important to assess any risks to your safety when aiding someone involved in a motor vehicle accident. During white out conditions or times of low visibility, the safest thing for everyone involved is to stay in vehicle, no matter how much you want to help, and call 911.
There are some steps you can take to ensure your own safety if you’re involved a motor vehicle accident or handling car repairs or if you’re looking to help someone else.
The first step is to get out of traffic. Safely pull over to the side of the road and while you may be distracted or shaken up, you need to keep yourself safe from other potential accidents. You can also prevent other motorists from being hurt too while they drive by.
Make sure your vehicle won’t be clipped or pushed into traffic by another driver by turning your wheels away from the road and turn on your hazard lights, no matter the time of day, to warn others.
Once you’re in a safe position, call roadside assistance and describe the issue to them. They will advise you on next steps, but if you’re on a busy road or highway, it’s much safer to wait inside your vehicle. If it’s too warm, make sure to exit from the passenger side and stay far away from the road until help arrives.
If you feel that you’ve caused a motor vehicle accident, you may be apprehensive on how to handle the situation. Your first reaction is to stay and avoid having a hit and run case. Watching out for distracted pedestrians, driving at speed limit and even installing a dashcam can go a long way keeping you safe.
Motor vehicle accidents happen and accident benefits are available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident regardless of who caused the accident. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.