The first ten minutes decide everything.
Most road deaths in India happen before the ambulance arrives. This is what any citizen can safely do at the scene - and the law that protects you while you do it.
Emergency numbers you should know by heart
112 all-in-one emergency · 108 ambulance · 1033 national highway helpline · 101 fire · 100 police
Eight steps at the scene
1. Make the scene safe
Switch on hazard lights, park your vehicle well behind the crash, and place a warning triangle or any visible object 50-100 m upstream. On highways, stand behind the crash barrier. You cannot help anyone if you become the second casualty.
2. Call 112 first
112 is India's single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance (108 also works for ambulances in most states). State your exact location - use the nearest kilometre stone, flyover name or a live location share on WhatsApp - the number of people injured, and whether anyone is unconscious or trapped.
3. Check response and breathing
Tap the shoulder and ask loudly if they are okay. If there is no response, tilt the head back gently (jaw thrust if you suspect a neck injury) and look, listen and feel for breathing for up to 10 seconds.
4. Start hands-only CPR if not breathing
Place the heel of one hand at the centre of the chest, the other on top, and push hard and fast - about 100-120 compressions a minute, 5-6 cm deep - until the ambulance arrives or the person starts breathing. Untrained bystanders should do compressions only, no rescue breaths.
5. Stop heavy bleeding
Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth for at least 10 minutes without lifting to peek. Elevate the limb if there is no suspected fracture. Do not remove any object that is embedded - pad around it instead.
6. Do not move the injured unnecessarily
Suspect a spine injury after any fall or high-speed crash. Move a person only if there is fire, fuel leakage or oncoming traffic risk, and then support the head, neck and back in one straight line with help from others.
7. Never remove a helmet alone
A helmet is removed only if the rider is not breathing and the airway cannot be opened - and always by two people, one steadying the head and neck while the other eases the helmet off.
8. Keep them warm, calm and awake
Cover with a jacket or blanket to prevent shock. Do not give water, food or any medicine. Stay and keep talking until trained help takes over, and hand over what you observed.
Never do these
- Do not crowd the scene or film it.
- Do not give water, tea or food to an injured person.
- Do not pull anyone out of a vehicle by the arms or legs.
- Do not straighten a deformed limb or push a bone back in.
- Do not remove a helmet single-handedly.
- Do not wait for the police before calling an ambulance.
Helping cannot get you into trouble.
You are protected by law
Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act (inserted by the 2019 amendment) protects Good Samaritans from civil and criminal liability for anything that happens while helping a road crash victim in good faith.
You cannot be forced to disclose your identity
Under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Good Samaritan guidelines, giving your name, address or phone number is entirely voluntary, at the hospital and at the police station.
Hospitals must treat immediately
No hospital, government or private, may refuse or delay emergency care to a road crash victim while waiting for payment, police formalities or an FIR.
Cashless emergency treatment
MoRTH's cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims covers emergency care at designated hospitals up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim for the first seven days after the crash. Insist on it if a hospital asks for a deposit.
There is a reward for helping
The MoRTH Good Samaritan reward scheme pays a cash award to people who save a life after a serious road crash, nominated by the hospital or police. Helping costs you nothing.
Summarised from the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 (as amended in 2019) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways rules and schemes in force as of August 2026. Always follow the instructions of the emergency operator on 112.
Keep this kit in every vehicle
- Sterile gauze pads and a roller bandage
- Crepe bandage and adhesive tape
- Antiseptic solution and cotton
- Disposable nitrile gloves (two pairs)
- Blunt-nosed scissors and tweezers
- Triangular sling and safety pins
- Torch, warning triangle and a reflective vest
- Card with 112, family and blood group details