Witnessing an accident while garbage picking

Hey everyone, haven't posted in awhile b/c I've been busy with a lot of things going on, but figured I would share this little incident and how glad I was that I didn't have to "play hero." Hopefully this will also improve the image of scrappers in the eye of the public by showing that we aren't degenerates, and not only that but can be genuine, caring people when the time arises:

While out trash picking not too long ago, I happened to have had the unfortunate distinction of witnessing a single vehicle crash. A girl driving her parents' minivan strayed too close to the curb and the R/F tire hit the curb and blew out, she subsequently grazed a telephone pole along the passenger side of the van. She then ended up careening onto the wrong side of the road. I was in the process of making a left turn when that happened. I instinctively turned around and went back to help, the van got pretty beat up on the passenger side, the passenger side mirror got sent through the passenger front window and both airbags went off. I stopped my truck (fully loaded up nonetheless) and ran to make sure she was OK, she was in shock but did not appear to have been seriously hurt. She called her parents and a short while later, her father came and comforted her, I told him what happened and that I turned around out of concern and to make sure she was OK, he was grateful for me stopping and doing what I did, and I stuck around with them until the police came. At that point, the girl's mother said it was OK for me to go, and she thanked me for stopping when everyone else (there were others around besides me when it happened) kept going on as if nothing happened.



I think part of the reason I turned around like I did was the "worst case scenario" thoughts that went through my mind, my adrenaline began to rush and I went into "fight" mode. I thought about the possibility of serious injuries and/or the vehicle catching fire, I keep a fire extinguisher in my truck so that may or may not have come in handy (but I thankfully didn't have to take drastic action). I was ready and determined, if necessary, to save the life of somebody who I never met before. But all I can say, when all was said and done and the adrenaline died down, is "thank God I didn't have to 'play the hero'" and that it didn't turn out as bad as I pictured it possibly being.

Unfortunately I didn't, didn't dawn on me to do something like that, but then again, I was in a completely different mindset as a result of what I witnessed. They had collision coverage on the van but since it's older and the airbags went off, their insurance co. is probably gonna total it out and take it from them anyway after cutting them a check for the book value.

I also don't think that would have been appropriate making that kind of offer at the time given what had just happened...

yeah always been my idea that if it was someone in my family i would appreciate somebody stopping to help out.

After being the hero it was time to explain all the hidden values of the auto that was mess up - Cats - Bat - wire - short - But serious yes your gona see things when your on the road a lot good to be helpful

Actually according to CDL laws your supposed to stop by law to assist and talk to the police when witnessing a accident. There are even laws in the fed regs where it states, that you must carry white rags or sheets in ya truck to use as a bandages..lmao. SO you did the right thing, not only morally, but also legally. Although you should have told the cop what ya have seen, because ya leaving before talking to the po po is like leaving the scene of a accident.

My truck isn't exactly a "commercial-sized" vehicle, it's an S10 so I don't see how CDL laws would apply to something like a small pickup...