Final answer:
Upon encountering a collision scene, assess the safety first, then offer assistance and call emergency services. Your primary duty is to help those injured if it's safe and if you're able, while also considering moral duties and countering the bystander effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are one of the first persons to come upon the scene of a collision, it's important to ensure the safety of yourself and others before taking action. Assess the scene for any potential hazards such as fire, traffic, or unstable structures. Then, offer assistance by checking on the condition of the people involved and call emergency services if needed. If you're trained, you can provide first aid.
Furthermore, moral considerations, such as those proposed by William David Ross regarding prima facie duty, suggest that helping injured parties at a collision may take precedence over other commitments like personal appointments. In doing so, you may also counteract the bystander effect, where individuals are less likely to help a person in distress when others are present. Use your common sense and any safety training you have, but do not ignore the facts or your own safety in favor of personal opinions. Always wait for trained professionals to handle dangerous situations, such as rescuing victims from burning vehicles or administering CPR to drowning individuals if you are not qualified to do so.