First Aid

Road accident: what to do at the scene

What to do first at a road accident, who to call, and the legal protection for people who help.

Because the first hour decides most road-accident outcomes.

Do this now

01Ring 108 first. On a national highway ring 1033 as well — highway patrols and cranes are dispatched from there.
02Make the scene safe before you approach: hazard lights on, and somebody warning oncoming traffic well back.
03Do not move the injured unless fire or traffic makes staying more dangerous than moving.
04If they are not breathing normally, start chest compressions.
05Press hard on any heavy bleeding with the cleanest cloth you have.
06Support the head and neck in the position you found them.
07Photograph the scene, the vehicles and the number plates once help is on the way.

Do not pull somebody out of a vehicle or off the road unless they are in immediate danger. Spinal injury is made permanent this way.
Do not remove a motorcycle helmet unless they are not breathing and you cannot open the airway with it on.
Do not give water or food, however much they ask.
Do not let a walking, talking casualty go home unchecked. Internal bleeding and head injury both start off looking fine.
Do not hesitate to help for fear of police trouble. Indian law protects you — see below.

Exactly where — road name, direction of travel, nearest landmark or kilometre stone
How many people are hurt
Whether anyone is trapped, unconscious or bleeding heavily
What vehicles are involved

See the nearest places with distance, whether they are open, a phone number and directions.

Internal bleeding and head injury are invisible from outside and can take hours to show
Somebody who is walking and talking at the scene can still be seriously injured