Arkansas Commercial Driver License (CDL) Practice Test

What is the first thing you should do in an accident situation to ensure another accident does not happen?

1. Check for injuries

2. Keep another accident from happening

3. Notify authorities

4. Protect the area

The correct answer is: Check for injuries

The most critical first step in an accident situation is to keep another accident from happening. This involves assessing the environment to ensure that your vehicle and the accident scene are positioned safely to prevent further incidents. You might need to turn on hazard lights, set up warning triangles, or move vehicles if it's safe to do so. While checking for injuries, notifying authorities, and protecting the area are important, the priority must be to prevent additional accidents, which can save lives and reduce further injuries. Failing to secure the scene could lead to more vehicles crashing into the area, posing risks to everyone involved, including responders who arrive later. Thus, ensuring safety at the accident site is paramount.