Team-BHP > Road Safety


Reply
  Search this Thread
18,518 views
Old 20th March 2012, 11:43   #1
Senior - BHPian
 
fine69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 1,591
Thanked: 1,467 Times
Extending help during a road accident

Today morning while driving on my way to the office I witnessed an accident where in a bike had rammed into an elderly gentleman (a security guard of some pvt company) who was crossing the road.

I was some 50 meters away and as I neared the spot the bike rider, pillion (a girl) and the elderly gentleman (security guard) were pulled besides the divider by a few by-standers. A Santro, being driven by a young office-goer, stopped just besides them followed by a Xylo taxi and I stopped behind them.

The security guard was unconscious and as I saw the people around him trying to make him stand I knew that they were going to worsen any injury the elderly man would've had. I decided to stop and tell those people not to try to revive the guy by shaking him heavily.

The santro guy and myself parked the car to the right a little bit ahead so as to not create a traffic jam and the Xylo taxi drove away. As I got down I picked up the water bottle from my car, told the people to lay him down besides the divider and sprinkled some water on his face. He woke up but I could tell that he was in severe pain. His right leg had a scoop of tissue taken out with the skin hanging but I was kind of surprised that there wasn't too much bleeding.

In the meantime the girl riding pillion started crying as her boyfriend's head was bleeding as well. It seemed that he wasn't wearing a helmet. I asked the girl also if she was hurt but fortunately she was alright. She tied her stole to the guy's head, he'd suffered a major cut, while more onlookers joined in.

The bike rider then got aggressive about how the security guard didn't check for traffic before crossing the road and simply barged in on the road. I calmed him down while a taxi wala decided to abuse the bike rider on how bikers don't know how to ride, they drive rashly and what not. With the situation getting out of hand and more onlookers joining in, I decided to pull the toughest-looking guy from the crowd and asked him to help me calm things down while I call the cops.

As I begin dialling 100 someone from the crowd tells me that why would a regular office-goer want to involve himself in this hassle. For some reason I immediately cut the call. With no experience of such situations I didn't know what all could go wrong for me. All the more, I couldn't be late for the 9:30 am meeting today morning.

Meanwhile somebody from the crowd had stopped an auto-rick to take the security guard to the hospital. He says that the guy needs immediate medical aid and we shouldn't bother with calling the cops in this matter as it would only delay everthing.

Another guy said that there's a hospital near-by and the security guard should be taken there immediately. I pulled up the security guard and put his hand around my shoulder and what pissed me off was nobody was ready to touch this guy. Finally one gentleman decided to help me and we made him sit in the auto.

Now the auto-wala asks who would be accompanying this guy. I look around and see half of the crowd starting to disperse now. The guy who helped me pick up the security guard finally agrees to follow the auto on his bike.

I finally figure that everything seems to be taken care of. I try to locate the biker now and someone tells me that he's taken off in a cycle-rickshaw.

I go back to my car, start it and see the auto-driver signalling me to follow him. I look around and everybody except for 2-3 guys are gone, so is the biker who'd agreed to follow the auto. I take the car next to the auto and he says that if I wouldn't follow him to the hospital he'd take the security guard down from the auto. I take out a 100 rupee note and he says that its not about the money but the hassle later he could get into.

With no option, I decide to follow the auto. Within 5 mins of the drive we park besides a big hospital. I go inside and ask someone to come out with a wheel-chair. The security guard starts losing consciousness again and by this time I see that he's started bleeding in a couple of more places.

I escort him inside and a doctor and a nurse attend to him. They ask me to wait and I tell another guy that I can't wait for more than 5 mins so whichever way I can help they gotta ask fast.

The doctor comes out and asks me if I know him, I refuse. I forgot to tell, the security guard had no money, no mobile. He didn't even remember any contact no. where his family/relatives could be reached. I ask the doctor how much it'd cost for basic dressing. He says that with a wound like that, he'd have to first do an x-ray, and depending on any fracture or not he'd either operate/stitch or something.

I ask how much it'd cost, he says anywhere between 1000-5000. He again asks if I know the guy, I refuse again. I ask the doctor if they'd operate him if I told them that the guy didn't have any money. He says that he'd already asked him that and they would now call the cops after simply bandaging him.

I take out 1000 rupees from my wallet and give it to him. He says he wouldn't take it now and I'd have to fill out the emergency form first. I shove the two 500 rupee notes in the shirt pocket and tell him to do whatever he can and I wasn't going to fill any form.

The doctor went inside the room and I came out of the hospital. After waiting for a minute I came out of the compound, got into the car and drove to office.

I did reach office on time but what's bothering me is whether the doctor actually would've operated on the guy. More so when I gave him a thousand rupees, its kind of pinching me now. The meeting was very important and I couldn't miss it so I had to leave, maybe calling the cops was the right thing to do. But what about the time it would've taken them to reach the spot. Even with all the right intention, I don't know whether I was actually able to help anybody in all this.

I thought I'd share this with you so that I'm better equipped (in terms of knowledge) next time I'm into any such situation.
fine69 is offline   (39) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 12:45   #2
BHPian
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ktym
Posts: 431
Thanked: 456 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

First of all, i admire your courage and the kindness in your heart for helping a total stranger. Any time at the site of an accident we can see a hundred people gathering around to see the 'tamasha' and not even a single fellow lending a helping hand.

You could visit the hospital and enquire what transpired after you left so that you get a a little peace of mind.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fine69 View Post
I shove the two 500 rupee notes in the shirt pocket and tell him to do whatever he can and I wasn't going to fill any form.
This, my dear friend, has the potential to offend some people.
revintup is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 14:27   #3
BHPian
 
anand_lukose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cochin-Toronto
Posts: 132
Thanked: 75 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

I applaud your kindness in calming down the situation and lending a helping hand. Things like this can happen to anybody and frankly speaking If I were you, I dont think I would have accompanied the victim till the hospital. i am still under the impression that people who help the injured to the hospital ultimately become scapegoats.

There was a recent email chain ( which was reported as fake info ) that Supreme court had a verdict out which prevents bystanders being party to accident cases if they helped the victim to the hospital.

Although bribing the Doctor would have sometimes made it worse as mentioned above, we understand your helplessness during that time.

I would also like to be informed on what ideally one should do so that we are not legally in trouble.
anand_lukose is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 14:35   #4
BHPian
 
mmxylorider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 950
Thanked: 620 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

In hindsight, while one may realize things that could've been done differently, you should be proud in the fact that you got the person to the place where the necessary medical attention can be provided. Beyond that one has to trust the system. Well done!
mmxylorider is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 15:54   #5
BHPian
 
wanderlustindia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 608
Thanked: 63 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by fine69 View Post
Today morning while driving on my way to the office I witnessed an accident where in a bike had rammed into an elderly gentleman (a security guard of some pvt company) who was crossing the road.

..............................

I thought I'd share this with you so that I'm better equipped (in terms of knowledge) next time I'm into any such situation.
Very exemplary on your part, mate. You did whatever you could in your capacity. It's a shame not many people came across to help you.

I distinctly remember an incident back in early 2008. I had come back from London while my wife was away in Phillipines. All to myself, I decided to crash at a friend's place. Still fighting jet-lag I and my friend stepped out late in the evening to go to Shivajinagar railway station to eat. We had just started and on the way we saw by-standers flocked around an accident scene. Part of the mob gathered around a hapless college kid in excruciating pain and badly smashed ZMA and part of the mob busy thrashing the truck-wallah who hit the kid's bike. Apparently it was already 10-15 mins since the accident and no one bothered to take the boy to the nearest hospital. I and my friend decided to take matters in our hands and picked up the boy, put him on the rear seat. His leg was badly mangled so I put some cloth around it to stop the blood flow. He was conscious alright so I asked for his cellphone so that I could call his folks but he was afraid his Dad would be livid. So, I asked him to hand over a friend's number. We called up his friend and asked him to reach Hardikar hospital. The hospital staff was very helping. They immediately got out a stretcher and took the boy for preliminary treatment. In the meantime the boy's friend had arrived and we asked him to call up the boy's Dad. The boy's parents reached after about 30 minutes or so. Only after we had told him what transpired, we left. The appetite was long gone and hence, we headed straight back home. I must say we were lucky that the hospital staff was very helpful. They did not bother us with calling the police and stuff. It would have robbed the poor kid of much needed treatment.

Coming back to your situation, I think what you did is brilliant under the circumstances around you. If only the hospital staff was helping and a few more people came forward to help, it would have made all your efforts worth the while and wouldn't have left an iota of doubt in your mind.

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Please avoid quoting an entire lengthy post as it inconveniences our mobile/small screen users. Thanks!

Last edited by n_aditya : 20th March 2012 at 18:57. Reason: quoted text edited
wanderlustindia is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 16:33   #6
BHPian
 
gauravdgr8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CG/CH
Posts: 776
Thanked: 1,286 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

My Friend, I salute you for going the extra mile. These days nobody would dare do such an act. No-one would even stop by to see what's happened. You should not feel guilty for anything as you have not done any wrong.
gauravdgr8 is online now   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 16:36   #7
BHPian
 
antz.bin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pune
Posts: 977
Thanked: 3,825 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Sorry for being blunt, but this one had to be said.

To avoid the financial burden to either party, first of all check the wallet/purse for credit cards / medical insurance card / any other ID. If none is found, take the affected party, not to a big shot Private Hospital but to the Free For All Govt. Hospital. As the bystander / passer-by you have done your responsibility of taking the injured to the hospital, but we cannot assume that this person can afford treatment at a Private facility where the bills usually reach 5 figures within the first hour of getting admitted.

The above comes from "Been there... Done that".
antz.bin is online now   (5) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 16:39   #8
Senior - BHPian
 
srishiva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bengaluru
Posts: 4,375
Thanked: 2,256 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Good deed.
I have helped victims a couple of times in Bengaluru and once on the highway. I did not have problems with either the Auto driver or people surrounding. All these times there were actually a couple of people who rode along with the Auto. I did enquire about one of the cases where a elderly man was bleeding behind his head and they had treated him and discharged. There were no police cases filed.
srishiva is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 17:06   #9
BHPian
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: India
Posts: 603
Thanked: 652 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by fine69 View Post
Today morning while driving on my way to the office I witnessed an accident where in a bike had rammed into an elderly gentleman (a security guard of some pvt company) who was crossing the road.

I take out 1000 rupees from my wallet and give it to him. He says he wouldn't take it now and I'd have to fill out the emergency form first. I shove the two 500 rupee notes in the shirt pocket and tell him to do whatever he can and I wasn't going to fill any form.
I appreciate the way you helped the old man. And this is the reality of our society that nobody comes to help a sufferer on roads.

Sorry for being blunt, but please try to understand my point: The way you put notes in doctor's pocket would have made him think that you did the accident therefore you are kind of bribing him to keep mum on the issue, also you are in a hurry and NOT interested to fill the forms because of the legal actions on you. In such situation, how you would prove yourself as innocent considering the victim is not in a situation to recall the incident?

By the way, where this accident took place?

Cheers!
Irish
Irish is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 17:44   #10
BHPian
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Delhi
Posts: 180
Thanked: 204 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by anand_lukose View Post
There was a recent email chain ( which was reported as fake info ) that Supreme court had a verdict out which prevents bystanders being party to accident cases if they helped the victim to the hospital.
Is this the email that we are talking about

"Right to Emergency Care:

Date Of Judgment: 23/02/2007.

Case No.: Appeal (civil) 919 of 2007.

The Supreme Court has ruled that all injured persons especially in the case of road traffic accidents, assaults, etc., when brought to a hospital / medical centre, have to be offered first aid, stabilized and shifted to a higher centre / government centre if required. It is only after this that the hospital can demand payment or complete police formalities. In case you are a bystander and wish to help someone in an accident, please go ahead and do so. Your responsibility ends as soon as you leave the person at the hospital.

The hospital bears the responsibility of informing the police, first aid, etc.

Please do inform your family and friends about these basic rights so that we all know what to expect and what to do in the hour of need.
Please not only go ahead and forward, use it too!!!!"

P.S These are just the contents of the mail that i received sometime ago. I am not sure if this is legitimate .Can some one from the legal help put some light on this
RaSing is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 18:55   #11
BHPian
 
ssh1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chennai
Posts: 395
Thanked: 109 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

I'm going to be a bit blunt here and don't know how many will agree here. I have a question first, why didn't you continue calling the police or ambulance? This is an accident, you were a viewer and anyone can report the accident to the police.

1- The police should have gotten there
2- They should have held all the people involved in the accident which are: bike riders and the security guard
3- Police asks for ambulance
4- If no ambulance, police takes the person in their vehicle to the hospital along with the riders
5- They take care of the formalities at the hospital (in all probability the nearest GH). The doctor would have had no hesitation to operate knowing that the police was now on the scene

I'm sorry, but I guess you didn't do what was absolutely necessary.

EDIT:
6- Things will follow: FIR, statements from rider, pillion rider and security guard.
7- If riders and security guard decide to settle, they do so in front of police after having given a written statement signed by all.
8- If one wants to pursue charges over other, police will continue involvement and take action based on their investigation.
9- FIR copies can be used for third party insurance claim if rider decides so

Last edited by ssh1979 : 20th March 2012 at 19:02.
ssh1979 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 19:02   #12
BHPian
 
anand_lukose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cochin-Toronto
Posts: 132
Thanked: 75 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by RaSing View Post
Is this the email that we are talking about

"Right to Emergency Care:

Date Of Judgment: 23/02/2007.

Case No.: Appeal (civil) 919 of 2007.

The Supreme Court has ruled that all injured persons especially in the case of road traffic accidents, assaults, etc., when brought to a hospital / medical centre, have to be offered first aid, stabilized and shifted to a higher centre / government centre if required.
Yes. this is the one, I was talking about.
anand_lukose is offline  
Old 20th March 2012, 19:08   #13
BHPian
 
neofromcapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Bombay
Posts: 411
Thanked: 417 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Please call the cops, one of my co-workers fell of the local train, luckily on the platform.

The cops took her to the nearest municipal hospital called us and till the time we got to the hospital gave her first aid.

Once we got there they assisted me with all the paper work, insisted on doing the CT scan, the X-Ray's and the stitching up the wounds there itself. They only allowed us to take her home only after the doctors gave a clearance.

It was a pleasant surprise for me, and whilst all the above were being done, I saw them work from close quarter's and realised, they see so many accidents and much worse, they HAVE to be the way they are, a little de-sensitized, so they can objectively to the work at hand.

And yes, they did not take any money at all
As they are best equipped to handle the situation, please reach out to them first.
neofromcapone is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 19:26   #14
Senior - BHPian
 
selfdrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Zurich
Posts: 2,962
Thanked: 3,534 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by fine69 View Post
Today morning while driving on my way to the office I witnessed an accident where in a bike had rammed into an elderly gentleman (a security guard of some pvt company) who was crossing the road.
First things first, if you are witness to an accident; note the registration number of the offending vehicle and its make. If time permits take a picture of the regn number plate and the offender.

Last year on my way home form work, I noticed a lady lying motionless on the road. I panicked and headed straight to the nearest police station. A couple of cops on a bike started for the accident site rightaway, but for some reason I dont understand I did not follow them. In hindsight, I should have probably gone and helped out or even better stayed there and called the cops, but I just froze.

Hopefully there is no next time, but if (God forbid) there is, I know better now to be more practical and handle the issue than get panicky.

No judgements on what you could or should have done.
If it is a regular route, was there anyone else around (shopkeepers/ residents) who can prove that you were actually helping and not the one who caused the accident?
If not, all I say is stay away from that hospital till you know for sure who caused that accident. You dont want to get into a situation where the doc identifies you, it may get you into unnecessary problems.
As for cases who cannot pay, I think they should be humane enough to transfer them to the govt run hospitals.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wanderlustindia View Post
We called up his friend and asked him to reach Hardikar hospital. The hospital staff was very helping. They immediately got out a stretcher and took the boy for preliminary treatment.
I think Hardikar is an accident hospital. Their staff would be better equipped dealing with accident cases than the run of mill hospitals who are not alert or trained enough. Of course its a plus that they were helpful too.
Kudos to you and your friend for being proactive in bringing the kid to the hospital.
selfdrive is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th March 2012, 21:02   #15
Senior - BHPian
 
fine69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 1,591
Thanked: 1,467 Times
Re: Extending help during a road accident

1. Putting 1000 rupees in doctor's pocket - As I had reached the hospital the guy sitting at the reception of the emergency area was the one who went inside one of the rooms with a nurse asking me to wait outside. When he came outside & I asked him how much will it cost the way he explained the diagnosis/procedure with all details is how I figured he was a doctor. He was a young man so I also gathered the courage to dictate my way in handing him over the thousand rupees. Had it been a "doctor" doctor I would've probably not done that, hope I'm able to clarify.

Also, we'd had a quick conversation where I'd explained him how the gentleman got hurt and how I came here along with the auto-driver. One of the staff personnel who ferried the injured guy on the wheelchair from the auto also nodded in agreement while I explained everything to the doctor.

Reason why I didn't want to fill out any form was because I didn't know if it could come to haunt me later in form of some proceeding against me. I may not know of doing the right thing in such cases but what I did know was that my name shouldn't appear anywhere, specially when I've heard/read of umpteen instances where the guy helping becomes the scapegoat.

Now if you ask why did I get involved in the first place when I no intention of going all the way, I don't really know. The condition of the security guard and people shaking him trying to revive him made me step out of the car with the water bottle and after that it was all instinct. I desperately wanted someone from the crowd to own up the situation so that I could continue with my life but the way the security guard looked at me for a few seconds, the way he pulled me by the leg once when I was trying to make the phone call didn't make me let go of the situation.

Also, the security guard was aware of what had happened and knew that I was merely helping. The doctor had spoken to him also so the doctor knew that it wasn't I who caused the accident and I can't explain it all in words but the doctor didn't really get offended when I'd put the money in his pocket. He didn't really smile or anything but you know how someone is just about to smile, their eyes and all, that told me that he understood my constraints also, not sure though, just what I think.

2. For taking the guy to a pvt hospital - I don't know much about Gurgaon, I merely drop my wife every morning to her workplace and then go to mine, that's all I know of it. It was the crowd who suggested that there was a hospital nearby and he should be taken there immediately.

Certain words being repeated like, "look at his leg", "this needs medical attention", "oh my god" etc. told me that I should get this guy medical aid foremost, rest of the things later. Obviously I hadn't thought it through.

3. For not checking the security guard for ID/wallet - It wasn't before I reached the hospital that I realized that a pvt hospital would obviously charge something before attending to him. After parking my car a little ahead when I went to the auto, I did ask the guard about any money if he has, a mobile to call his family/relatives but he said that he doesn't have any money at all and no mobile, doesn't even remember any contact no.

Besides this guy had started bleeding in a couple of more places - head, behind the ear, hands, so the thought of now taking him to a govt. hospital even then didn't make sense to me and I had absolutely no courage to check him for any money.

4. Accident spot - When one is going from Unitech Cyber Park (Gurgaon) towards HUDA city centre there comes a signal, after that a T-point where a road goes towards right. If one doesn't take that right and continues straight, just 100-200 meters ahead of it the accident took place. I think it was Mayom hospital or something where we took the guy later.

5. For not calling the cops - That guy telling me to not get into the police hassle, umpteen stories heard/read where the helper became the victim, the condition of the security guard and his constant moaning, not to mention his wound, several people making faces filled with disgust and shock after looking at the condition of the guy. Witnessing all this I figured that medical aid to the injured was the foremost thing to do, I wouldn't deny though that I was a little scared of involving cops in this.

6. All along I had thought that if I witness an accident or something I'd definitely click pics, note down the regn no. of all vehicles involved and what not. But I wasn't so smart when I was actually thrown in such a situation. During my meeting in the office I thought a lot about how I could've dealt with the situation better but in reality I couldn't when the actual events transpired.

I hope I never witness another accident but if I do, the first thing I'd want to do is call the cops, instinct shall follow later.

Last edited by fine69 : 20th March 2012 at 21:06.
fine69 is offline   (6) Thanks
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks