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Unfortunately, in an accident as you've described, a "laymen's" skill would be of little help. As you said, your assistance would just be in the way.

At best, if you are a "first responder," the best help is to somehow assure the victim that help is coming, keep them calm so they don't injure themselves even more, and perhaps help make a path for those with the equipment and experience who can get them untangled from the confining wreckage.

I agree, knowing basic CPR and life saving techniques is something that every personal should know how to do. In addition, how to rescue someone in water (drowning) is vitally as important.

But there is a limit to what a "laymen" can do, without jeopardising greater injury to the victim, and possible future law suits (which is a really a big concern and probably the biggest reason why folks stand by and do nothing). Too bad we still live in a "sue happy" society, but we do.

Yea, you might save their life with CPR, but if you break a rib, you may get sued and lose your house! Something to think about and some folks are just horrible and ungrateful, even at saving their own lives!

Still, it's a good skill set to learn. In spite of the risks of lawsuits or an act of performing some kind of medical act on someone without being licensed, is still better than doing nothing at all. You may loose your shirt in a law suit, but you still have the peace of a good conscious that you did the RIGHT thing in the heat of the moment. Having peace with yourself is more important than anything materialistic in this entire world.