What to do if you spot a negligent driver

Maybe you’re driving on a crowded interstate and spot someone who is spending more time texting than they are watching the road. Or maybe you’re in a city setting when you realize that another driver is likely under the influence of alcohol.

If you spot a negligent driver, there are two key steps you can take to protect yourself and others on the road:

• Keep your distance: It’s not the right time to be a hero. Rather than attempt to stop the driver on your own, keep your distance so that you’re not involved in an accident with them.
• Call for help: Upon moving to the side of the road or another safe place, call 911 to report what you are seeing. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as you can, such as the make and model of the vehicle, license plate number and what you witnessed.

If police deem it necessary, they’ll dispatch an officer to the scene in an attempt to assess the driver and determine if they should be pulled over.

While there are sure to be times when you spot a negligent driver and are able to take these steps, it doesn’t always happen. With so much going on around you, it’s possible that another driver could cause an accident without any notice.

If this happens, move your vehicle to a safe place, examine yourself and passengers for injuries and call 911. There’s a good chance you’ll require immediate medical attention at the scene, as well as transportation to a local hospital for additional testing and treatment.

As your recovery allows, consider the steps you can take to hold the negligent driver responsible for their actions. Doing so may help you obtain compensation for your injuries and other related damages.