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Connecticut driving lesson · Signals, Emergencies & Crashes

What to do at a crash

A 4-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Signals, Emergencies & Crashes
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
43

If you're in a crash, you must stop — leaving an injury crash before police talk to you is a crime. Protect the scene, help the injured without making things worse, and exchange information.

Know the rule

Don't stop at a crash unless you're involved or emergency help hasn't arrived. Never drive to a crash, fire or disaster scene just to look — you may block rescue vehicles.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

If you're involved in a crash you must stop. If it involves a parked vehicle, you must try to find the owner. If anyone is injured or killed, the police must be notified.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

It is a crime to leave a crash site involving your vehicle where there is an injury or death before police have talked to you and gotten the information they need.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

If a crash is about to happen

If a crash is about to happen
Hit fromWhat to do
The rearPress into seat back and head restraint; be ready to brake
The sideBelts keep you behind the wheel; front airbags won't help
The frontTurn for a glancing blow instead of head-on
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Your lap and shoulder belts are the most important protection. After an airbag inflates it deflates, so be ready to prevent a second crash.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

At the scene:

  • Stop at or near the site; move a drivable vehicle off the road
  • Don't stand or walk in traffic lanes
  • Turn off the ignition of each wrecked vehicle; don't smoke — spilled fuel can ignite
  • Stay away from downed power lines
  • Use flares or other warning devices to alert traffic
Handbook p. 43 ↗

If someone is injured:

  • Make sure police and emergency medical help have been called; mention any fire
  • Don't move the injured unless they're in a burning vehicle or other immediate danger
  • Help anyone not walking and talking first: check breathing, then bleeding
  • Stop bleeding with direct pressure from your hand or a cloth
  • Give no one anything to drink — not even water
  • Cover them with a blanket or coat to keep warm and help prevent shock
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Report the crash:

  • Get names and addresses of everyone involved and witnesses
  • Exchange name, address, license number, vehicle info and insurance company/policy number
  • Record damage to the vehicles and give information to police if asked
  • Parked vehicle and no owner? Leave a visible note with date, time and how to reach you
  • You must report the crash to police if there is an injury, a death or property damage
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Consider carrying a basic emergency kit with flares, first aid supplies and basic tools.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Put it into practice

You back into a parked, empty car in a lot. Try to find the owner. If you can't, leave a note where it can be seen with the date, time and how to reach you — and report the property damage to police.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

When must you report a traffic accident to the police?
  1. Only if someone is killed
  2. Injury, death, or property damage
  3. Only if a vehicle is totaled
  4. Only if a commercial vehicle is involved

Answer: Injury, death, or property damage

You must report the accident to police if there is an injury, a death, or property damage.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
If you're involved in a crash with a parked, unattended vehicle, what must you do?
  1. Report it to DMV within 5 days
  2. Drive away since no one is present
  3. Call only if the damage exceeds $1,000
  4. Find the owner or leave a note

Answer: Find the owner or leave a note

If involved in an accident with a parked vehicle, you must try to locate the owner or leave a note if you cannot.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
Under Connecticut law, when is it a crime to leave the scene of a crash your vehicle was involved in?
  1. Only if damage exceeds $1,000
  2. If someone is hurt or killed, before police talk to you
  3. Only if you caused the crash
  4. Only if the other driver asks you to stay

Answer: If someone is hurt or killed, before police talk to you

It is a crime to leave a crash site involving an injury or death before police have talked to you and gathered information.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
If your vehicle is hit from the side, what protects you best from being thrown across the car?
  1. Bracing with your arm on the dashboard
  2. Leaning toward the point of impact
  3. Your lap and shoulder belts
  4. The front airbag alone

Answer: Your lap and shoulder belts

Front airbags will not help in a side impact; your lap and shoulder belts are needed to help keep you behind the wheel.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
You come upon a crash you weren't involved in, and emergency help is already there. What should you do?
  1. Stop and get out to see if you can help
  2. Keep driving and watch for people near the road
  3. Slow down to get a good look at the scene
  4. Pull over and wait until police leave

Answer: Keep driving and watch for people near the road

Do not stop at an accident unless you are involved or emergency help has not yet arrived; keep moving and watch for people in or near the road.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
What information should you exchange with other drivers involved in a crash?
  1. Only your insurance company's name
  2. No information exchange is required if no one is hurt
  3. Name, address, license, vehicle and insurance details
  4. Only your name and phone number

Answer: Name, address, license, vehicle and insurance details

Exchange name, address, driver's license number, vehicle information, and insurance company and policy number.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
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