- How do you feel?
- Are you safe?
If you feel injured, weak, dizzy, or have pain in your back or neck, you should stay in the vehicle. Getting out when you are injured is likely to increase the damage. Wait for the ambulance or first responders.
If you feel fine, then decide if you are in an unsafe position. Sitting in your car in the middle of the freeway after dark is not the right place to be. If you do have to get out of the car because it is unsafe, immediately go to the shoulder. If you are in a high-speed area, it is a good idea to wait on the shoulder a few yards "upstream" (behind your car). If someone runs into your vehicle, it will be pushed further along and can be pushed into you if you are standing "downstream" in traffic.
Consider your safety as well. It is very rare for vehicles to catch fire or explode after a vehicle accident. Vehicles with airbags will often have "smoke" in the cab. Read this FAQ to understand what the smoke is. If you do see black smoke or flames, then immediately exit the vehicle no matter how you feel.
