Witnessing car accidents can be a scary event. The shock of the moment often leaves people in a panic wondering what to do, who to call or where to go. A new State Farm survey found that plenty of people are confused about their obligations and responsibilities when it comes to witnessing auto accidents.

Going Through Insurance

Roughly half of those surveyed felt that it was against the law to leave an accident unreported to an insurance company. Four in ten felt it was OK to not go through insurance.

Naming a Witness

There was also confusion over who constitutes a witness in the event of a car accident. Nearly 75% of Americans felt that they are a witness if they are within 100 feet of the accident. Two-thirds felt that being a witness means you’re not involved in the actual incident.

Saying Sorry

One third of those surveyed felt that saying “I’m sorry” would also admit fault and imply legal liability in the event of an accident.

Pulling Over

The majority of those surveyed say they would most likely stop if they saw an accident that didn’t involve them. Eighty-three percent would pull over.

State Farm now has a new website that will help answer question and make clarifications for drivers. “We found that many consumers look online seeking answers about auto insurance, but don’t have a resource, outside of the Auto Learning Center, to go to that offers independent, credible information,” stated Patty Gaumond in a news release, State Farm Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Internet Solutions. “When we designed the Auto Learning Center, we made sure to include perspective and tips from third-party experts and everyday consumers who can give visitors what they need: credible answers to their real-life questions. Auto insurance is important, yet can be a complicated topic for many people,” added Gaumond in the news release.  ”The Learning Center gives consumers access to the resources they need, when they need them, from the sources they trust the most.  We’re not trying to create insurance experts, but we do want consumers to know enough so that they can make the kinds of decisions that provide peace of mind and maximize value.”