Upon arriving first at the scene of an accident, what should be your first action?

When you arrive first at the scene of an accident, notifying the authorities is the most critical initial action. This response is essential for several reasons. First, emergency services, including police, fire, and medical responders, need to be alerted to assess the situation and help those involved in the accident. The authorities will ensure the scene is secured and investigate the circumstances of the incident effectively.

While providing first aid is important, it should only be done if you are trained and if the situation is safe to do so. Inspecting the vehicles can provide useful information, but it is not a priority over ensuring that professionals are on their way to handle the situation. Directing traffic is important for safety, but it's typically best handled by authorities trained to manage such incidents. Therefore, the first step must always be to contact emergency services, ensuring that the necessary help is on its way.