Car Crash
 

Tonight I was almost in a car crash. A car jumped the median and came over to my side of the road almost causing a head on collision. Instead he swerved out of the way just in time and hit a tree on the side of the road. By the time I came out of the shock of almost getting hit I had gone a dozen yards. I pulled over and called 911 and they said they had dispatched someone. I saw that a couple of other cars that had been further behind me had pulled over and gone to help the driver, so I left. I'm feeling guilty now and wondering whether or not I should have gone over to see if I could have helped also. Should I have acted any differently?

No, just be happy you are safe. I am.

You were spared from an accident. You called 911 to bring assistance. Only you can ask yourself why you feel guilty about leaving. If you had it all to do over again, what would you have changed and why?

I don't know. I wasn't quite sure how to feel. I felt bad feeling mad about the guy almost hitting me because he was probably hurt, but at the same time he could have hurt me too, you know? I wasn't sure how to react.

You mentioned that other cars had pulled over to help the driver. That's a good thing and you may have just added to the confusion of so many people. Unless, of course, you are a doctor or had some other skill that was germain to the situation.

I personally would be celebrating not getting hit as I was hit from the side recently (no one was hurt) and ended up with my car in the shop for three weeks while I paid for a rental in this "no-fault" state. I later learned the other driver had no insurance!

While leaving wasn't wrong, I certainly would have called the police and given a statement since you were a witness. I have done so after seeing accidents-one where a speeding T-bird cut off another and she skidded across 3 lanes and smashed into a wall. My philosophy has always been to react in a way I would want others to if I were in trouble.

I would agree that sticking around when you are nearly involved is a good thing. If anything, for your own protection. Who knows what sort of story "the other guy" might make up about your driving which he might claim was a contributing factor in his collision. Although comming over a median would probably not lend itself to such a story ;p

In Oregon, there is actually a legal requirement to remain on the scene of a situation like this. If you leave, you could be cited for failure to perform the duty of witness to an accident. (ORS 811.117) Although i've never heard of someone ever being cited for this, except in a few oddball collisions where there were other factors involved.

Hmm I think legally you were supposed to stay. But not sure really. Morally it sounds fine as you probably couldnt have done anything. Shock is a funny thing and you can't exactly feel guilty for fleeing while in it.

I think this is the kicker. It was a stressful situation and I don't think you really should be analyzing HOW you were feeling/reacting but you should just accept them. Hopefully that makes sense. But I don't think you did anything wrong or could have done anything better/different. If YOU feel you did something wrong then figure out a plan to make yourself feel better and do that. Anything to sleep well at night....