Car accidents can be traumatic and multi-vehicle pile-ups even more so. California roadways are extremely busy and overloaded with vehicles which make them ripe for this kind of scenario. If you are involved in such an accident in Fresno, who is the first person you need to call? Chain reaction vehicle accidents are complicated to sort out and may include many injured people. Knowing what to do in this situation can help everyone involved.
Call 911 for Help
If you are involved in a multi-vehicle pile-up and there are injured people, your first call needs to be 911. It is vital to get medical help right away to address the needs of those who are hurt. Depending on the severity of the injuries this one call could be the difference between life and death for one or more of the accident victims. In some situations, people who have not been otherwise seriously injured due to the accident have experienced a heart attack as a result of the trauma caused by the event itself.
Provide Accurate Information
The 911 operator will ask questions regarding the multi-vehicle pile-up, location, and other pertinent information to relay accurate information to medical personnel and law enforcement. Providing the exact location of the accident will be necessary. This will allow help to come via the route.
Stay on the Phone
You will most likely be asked to stay on the phone until help arrives. Calling 911 from a cell phone is not the same as calling from a landline. The cell phone signal is bouncing off a tower, and that can be located near your position or at a distance. The operator has no way of knowing your exact location with just your call.
You also do not know if a local center or regional center took your call. Most likely, it will be a regional center; therefore you will need to let the operator know what city you are in, be it Fresno or another city in the Central Valley. Also, let the person know that you are calling about a multi-vehicle pile-up.
Stay Calm
It is reasonable to assume that if you have been in a chain reaction accident, you are very stressed, if not frightened and/or traumatized. It is vital for you to do your best to stay calm, deliver the information to the 911 operator and speak clearly so you can be understood.
When you are involved in a car accident and have sustained injuries, it is wise to seek legal assistance to recover compensation for your losses. When the accident is a multi-vehicle pile-up, it is even more important to seek legal help. These types of accidents can be challenging to sort out for liability purposes. Protect yourself by seeking a qualified, experienced lawyer.
The Maison Law Office, serving Visalia, Merced, Bakersfield, and Fresno provides clients with excellent legal representation. We have a full understanding of personal injury law and our client-centered services provide you with the assurance that you are well represented. Contact us by calling 559-203-3333 or email at martin@maisonlaw.comto schedule a consultation. We don’t get paid unless you win.
