🚨🚑 Emergency Response

What to Do After a Road Accident — Step-by-Step Guide

A clear, actionable checklist for the critical minutes after an accident — for the injured, witnesses, and the driver.

The minutes after a road accident are chaotic and stressful. Having a clear plan saves lives and protects your legal rights. This guide covers what to do whether you're the driver, a passenger, or a bystander.

Quick Facts

●Emergency: 112 (all), 108 (ambulance)
●Good Samaritan Law: you are protected
●No hospital can refuse treatment
●FIR: mandatory for injury/death, within 24 hrs
●Insurance: notify within 24–48 hours
●Do NOT admit fault at the scene

Step 1: Ensure Safety

Before anything else, ensure your own safety and prevent further accidents:

›Turn off the engine and activate hazard lights.
›If the vehicle is on fire: evacuate immediately — move at least 50 metres away.
›If on a highway: place warning triangles 50–150 metres behind the vehicle.
›Do NOT stand between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.
›Check yourself for injuries — you may have injuries you don't feel due to adrenaline.

Step 2: Call for Help

Call emergency services immediately:

›112 — Unified Emergency Number (police, fire, ambulance).
›108 — Ambulance (free in most states).
›100 — Police.
›101 — Fire brigade.
›NHAI Helpline: 1033 (if on a national highway).
›Tell them: location (Google Maps pin), number of injured, type of vehicles involved.

Step 3: Help the Injured (Good Samaritan Law)

Under India's Good Samaritan Law (Sec. 134A MV Act), you are protected from legal harassment if you help accident victims:

›You CANNOT be treated as a suspect for helping.
›You CANNOT be detained at the police station or hospital.
›No hospital can refuse treatment to an accident victim.
›You do not need to reveal your identity if you don't want to.
›If you transport the victim, no hospital can demand payment before treatment.
›Your only role: get the victim to the nearest hospital. Doctors take over from there.

Step 4: Basic First Aid While Waiting

If help has not arrived yet and you have basic first aid knowledge:

›Do NOT move a person with suspected spinal/neck injury — keep them still.
›Control bleeding: apply firm pressure with a clean cloth.
›If unconscious but breathing: place in recovery position (on their side).
›If not breathing: begin CPR if you are trained.
›Keep the person warm — cover with a blanket or clothing (shock prevention).
›Talk to them — keep them calm and conscious.
›Do NOT give water to someone with abdominal injuries.
›Do NOT try to remove a helmet from an injured rider — let medics do it.

Step 5: Document Everything

Once the injured are being cared for, document the scene for insurance and legal purposes:

›Take photos: vehicle damage (all angles), number plates, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs.
›Take videos: overall scene, positions of vehicles.
›Note: time, location, weather, visibility.
›Get names and phone numbers of witnesses.
›Do NOT admit fault at the scene — let the investigation determine responsibility.
›Do NOT argue with the other driver — stay calm and factual.

Step 6: File an FIR

Report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours (mandatory under Sec. 134 MV Act):

›If there is injury or death: an FIR is mandatory.
›For property-only damage: a General Diary (GD) entry may be sufficient.
›The FIR is required for insurance claims — without it, your claim may be rejected.
›You can file a zero FIR at any police station — it will be transferred to the jurisdictional station.
›Keep a copy of the FIR — you will need it for the insurance claim.

Step 7: Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible:

›Call the 24/7 helpline — most companies require notification within 24–48 hours.
›Do NOT get the vehicle repaired before the surveyor inspects it.
›Collect: FIR copy, driving licence, RC, insurance policy copy, medical bills.
›Choose cashless (network garage) or reimbursement (any garage).
›Third-party claims: filed through Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing to do after a road accident?

Ensure your safety first — turn off the engine, activate hazard lights, and move away from traffic. Then call 112 (unified emergency) or 108 (ambulance).

Do I have to file an FIR after an accident?

If there is injury or death, filing an FIR is mandatory under Section 134 of the MV Act. For property-only damage, a General Diary entry may suffice. The FIR is also required for insurance claims.

Can I be harassed by police if I help an accident victim?

No. Under the Good Samaritan Law (Sec. 134A MV Act), you cannot be detained, questioned, or harassed for helping. Your identity is optional.

How soon should I inform my insurance company?

Most insurance companies require notification within 24–48 hours of the accident. Do not get the vehicle repaired before the surveyor inspects it.

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