When caring for a patient who has been in a vehicle collision, what is your first concern?

In situations involving a vehicle collision, the foremost concern is your own safety. Ensuring that you are safe allows you to provide effective care to the patient and protects you from additional harm. If you do not prioritize your safety, you may become another victim, which could impede not only your ability to help but potentially also endanger others, including the patient and emergency responders.

Once your safety is confirmed, you can then focus on assessing the situation and providing necessary medical care. While preserving evidence and assisting law enforcement are important aspects of managing a collision scene, these tasks should not take precedence over ensuring that you are not exposed to any hazards. Similarly, treating life-threatening injuries is critical, but it cannot be effectively done if you are in a dangerous position. Thus, recognizing and addressing your own safety is the foundational step before engaging in patient care or scene management.