What To Do After A Road Accident? Understand Your Legal Rights, Responsibilities And New Penalties

In the wake of a recent tragic accident in Dhaula Kuan involving a BMW, discussions have resurfaced about the correct and legal way to respond after a road mishap. When an accident occurs, the impulse for many is to flee the scene, but doing so is a serious crime with severe consequences. This guide outlines the responsible steps every citizen should take if involved in a road accident.

Immediate Steps To Take After An Accident

Your actions in the first few minutes can save a life and protect you from graver legal trouble. Do not panic, and do not flee.

Inform the Police (Dial 112): Your first call should be to the Police Control Room at 112. Provide your location and the details of the incident. Even if a crowd gathers, it is crucial to remain at the scene until you have communicated with the police and they have given you instructions. Afterwards, report to the nearest police station.

Call for Medical Help (Dial 102): Immediately after alerting the police, dial 102 for an ambulance to assist the injured.

Take the Victim to the Nearest Hospital: The victim's life is the priority. If an ambulance is delayed, use your own vehicle or ask a passer-by for help to transport the injured to the nearest hospital or trauma center. In the recent Dhaula Kuan case, the accused faced criticism for taking the victim to a hospital 22 kilometers away, a decision that wasted critical time. A quick search for "hospitals near me" on a smartphone can provide immediate options. After admitting the victim, proceed to the police station.

Understanding The Legal Consequences

Staying at the scene and reporting the incident is not only a moral duty but also your best legal defense. Accident cases are typically bailable if you do not flee or attempt to conceal the facts. However, under new laws, the penalties have become much stricter, especially for hit-and-run cases.

Key legal provisions to be aware of include:

Causing Death by Negligence (Section 106 of BNS)-

Subsection (1): If a person causes death by a rash or negligent act and reports the incident to the police, the punishment is imprisonment for up to five years.

Subsection (2): If the person flees the scene without reporting (a hit-and-run), the punishment is far more severe, with imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine.

Other Sections: Various other sections apply depending on the severity, such as Section 125 (endangering life through negligent driving) and Section 281 (reckless driving on a public road), with punishments ranging from months to several years.

Recent incidents, like the death of a senior official in the Dhaula Kuan case and a fatal drag-and-drive incident in SamaypurBadli, underscore the importance of these laws.

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List Of Major Government Hospitals & Trauma Centers In Delhi

For quick reference in an emergency, here is an area-wise list of major hospitals in Delhi.

West Delhi:

Acharya Shree Bhikshu Hospital, Moti Nagar

DeenDayal Upadhyay Hospital, Hari Nagar

Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini

South Delhi:

Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Safdarjung Enclave

Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar East

Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital, Malviya Nagar

East Delhi:

Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden

Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, Kalyanpuri

Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Shastri Park

Central/North Delhi:

Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi Gate

Hindu Rao Hospital, Malka Ganj

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Baba Kharak Singh Marg

Sushruta Trauma Centre, Civil Lines

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