To stay safe in a car accident, look for hazards around the crash scene before opening a door or leaving the vehicle. Traffic may continue moving nearby, while a damaged vehicle can create additional danger. You may be rattled after a crash, but don’t panic.
Call 911, and consider moving your vehicle if conditions are safe to do so. If someone has a serious injury, avoid moving that person unless remaining in place creates a greater danger. The law requires drivers involved in certain crashes to stop and provide reasonable assistance.
If you have been hurt in a car crash, Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can offer guidance. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our injured clients. Find out how our car accident lawyers in Colorado Springs can help when you call for a free consultation.
Call 911 When You Need Emergency Help
In Colorado, you must report accidents that result in injuries, death, or property damage. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher where the accident happened. Explain any dangers as clearly as you can.
If you are seriously injured, do not assume you need to wait until you understand exactly what happened before calling. Emergency personnel can assess injuries and help secure a dangerous crash scene. Your health should take priority over questions about fault or insurance.
Whether you are injured or not, wait for police to arrive on the scene. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident in Colorado. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help with the legal consequences after emergency personnel have addressed the immediate situation.
For a free legal consultation, call (719) 520-9909
When to Stay in Your Vehicle After a Crash
Getting out of a damaged vehicle is not always safe. If other cars are driving nearby, leaving the vehicle can put you at risk of another collision. Take a moment to check the area for danger before opening the door or stepping onto the road.
However, there are situations where remaining inside the car can be more dangerous. An immediate threat may require you to leave if you can do so safely. If you cannot safely move yourself, tell the 911 operator where you are and follow emergency instructions.
Sometimes, a vehicle involved in a minor crash may need to be moved off a divided highway when it is drivable. The safest decision depends on the circumstances of the crash. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you understand the legal issues surrounding the crash afterward.
Use Hazard Lights and Warn Other Drivers
Your hazard lights can alert approaching motorists that something is wrong. Use them when appropriate, particularly if your vehicle remains near the roadway. If you can do so without putting yourself in danger, you may place warning devices or flares to make you and your car more visible.
Do not stand behind your vehicle or walk into traffic to warn drivers. Your goal is to stay safe, not risk getting hurt. If emergency responders are coming, let them take care of traffic control when they arrive.
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Safety Patrol uses emergency lighting and signage to warn drivers about roadway hazards and help prevent secondary crashes. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you understand how to stay safe in a car accident and deal with the aftermath.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic When It Is Safe
A disabled vehicle in an active traffic lane can put everyone at risk, including you. If your vehicle remains drivable and moving it will not endanger you or someone else, getting it out of the travel lane may reduce the chance of another collision.
The Colorado Driver Handbook addresses how to stay safe in a car accident by moving vehicles after certain minor crashes on divided highways. When the vehicle is drivable and there are no injuries or drugs or alcohol involved, motorists should move their vehicles.
If you cannot move the vehicle safely, leave it where it is and focus on getting help. Turn on your emergency flashers to warn approaching drivers. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help if you need to hire a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Be Aware of Moving Traffic
One of the greatest dangers after a crash comes from vehicles that were not involved in the collision. A driver approaching the scene may not see you until it is too late. If you must exit your vehicle, pay close attention to where you are standing and where other vehicles are traveling.
Do not assume a shoulder is completely safe simply because you are no longer in a traffic lane. A roadside collision can cause serious injuries even after the original crash has ended.
According to Colorado law, drivers approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing hazard or safety lights must move over when possible or slow down when they cannot safely change lanes. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help if additional motorists contributed to your injuries.
Get Help If You Have Been Hurt in a Crash
You can stay safe in a car accident by staying calm and prioritizing the immediate safety of yourself and others. A car accident can leave you facing immediate physical danger, uncertainty about whether to leave your vehicle, and the continuing risk of another collision.
Your first concern should be getting yourself and others out of danger when you can do so safely. If you were injured in a Colorado car accident because of the negligent acts of another motorist, it’s smart to get legal help.
Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can explain how to stay safe in a car accident and your options if you have been injured. Call today for a free consultation.
Reviewed by Brennan Heuser | August 2026
Call or text (719) 520-9909 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form