Got falsely framed for causing accident: Pleasant experience with cops

Since the guy was bleeding profusely, we decided to not waste any time and take the rider immediately to the nearest available hospital in the same car.

BHPian furyrider recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Let me narrate a story that happened 5 years ago.

My friend purchased a new car, and we went on an early morning joy ride. We decided to drive to a local reservoir and en route, road expansion works were going on. We were doing may be 30-40 Kmph. A construction worker who was on the phone while carrying a plastic can containing diesel on the tank of his bike rear ended the car. His face was covered in blood, and we immediately called the emergency number - 108 for an ambulance. We were informed that the nearest ambulance would take at least 30-45 min to arrive and were asked if the car was still drivable. The car had considerable damage at the rear but was still drivable. By this time, remaining workers including his supervisor had gathered around the vehicle and started creating a ruckus. My friend promptly called the police.

Since the guy was bleeding profusely, we decided to not waste any time and take the rider immediately to the nearest available hospital in the same car. My friend in the meantime took some pictures of the vehicle and the accident in general. My friend stayed back since the crowd started accusing us of running away from the place. Luckily, the police arrived in 5 min since a patrol vehicle was already parked at the next corner. They got the situation under control, cleared traffic while my friend completed the formalities. I was asked to share the details as soon as I arrive at the hospital. The hospital was apprehensive of taking him in since it was a medico-legal case. I already informed them that police were informed. They called police on their own and then took him in. The guy who hit us had lost 3 teeth, had multiple cuts across his face and had a total of 12 stitches.

By this time, his fellow workers and supervisor (bike apparently belonged to him) accompanied my friend to the hospital. Police arrived as well. Police took both our IDs and were asked to collect it at the police station. But first, we were suggested to work something out amongst ourselves and then report back to them. The constable who spoke to us gave their number to us and asked to update him. He then gave a stern warning to the other party to not act smart and start the "local" dramas.

We tried being reasonable, but the other party tried to pin the blame on us and were very unreasonable with their demands. Without even asking, we agreed to pay his hospital bills even though the fault was not ours. They demanded a couple of lakhs in compensation + hospital bills + his wages for the days he was off from work - which we denied right away. His supervisor tried to act aggressive thinking that we might get scared. We called the constable and told him what had happened. He asked us to come to the station and not to talk to them anymore. By the time we reached the station, the hospital had called the police stating that they were creating a ruckus there and that we had "runaway". Luckily, this happened just as we entered the police station. Police then invited the other party over. We were asked to narrate our version and them theirs.

At this point, the other party was pinning the blame on us - first it was over speeding. When asked how the guy on the bike rear ended us if we were over speeding, they changed their story to sudden braking. Apparently, the hospital was under the jurisdiction of the police station we were in, but the accident site was at their border and technically falls under another jurisdiction. The police who visited the site were not from this station.

Things took a turn when my friend told them that he had called the police in the morning and that the personnel who visited the site had more details. The SI dealing with the matter called up the other station, put his phone on speaker and asked if an accident was reported that morning. They replied that there was indeed one and the details they provided matched our version of events. The guy on the other end even told that the guy who hit us was carrying diesel for the machinery and had it been petrol, it would've led to fire almost instantly. Since they got the story from a reliable source, their stance on us softened a bit, and police started asking them some questions.

We then narrated how his supervisor acted all aggressive and threatened to hit us a couple of times. He acted all innocent stating that we were lying, but when asked if he is okay if the police check the CC camera recordings in the hospital, he stammered. Even infuriating to the police, the supervisor gave out wrong registration number of the bike thrice. After the SI lost his cool, he gave the right number, but apparently, the bike had no insurance, PUC or for that matter, even an RC copy and was registered on someone else's name. The rider had no driving license.

The police mediated a settlement and finalized an amount which we paid to the police who handed over to the other party in front of us. Upon our request, the police agreed to take a letter from the other party in their presence and to agree that they would not contact us in the future. We asked a lawyer who was at the station on a totally different matter to draft a letter for us which he did for a small fee. The essence was that they agree that we were not at fault but were still paying his medical expenses on humanitarian grounds and that they would not file a case on any of us in the future. Luckily, all out medication were through the police, so, our phone numbers were not with the other party. A copy of the letter was given to either party and the original was retained by the police.

Since the injuries were to the head, the police did warn us that they will keep an eye out for the other guy for the next month or two and monitor his health. We received a few calls from different police personnel over the next two months asking a few questions - like why we were there, etc. They mostly seemed to corroborate if my friend's versions and mine matched. Finally, after 2 months, the SI called and informed us that the other person had fully recovered, and that we can consider the matter closed. No FIR was filed - just an entry in their journal/diary.

This was our first time dealing with police and if they find that you are not lying and being honest, they will definitely help you out. We did end up paying a small amount under the table as a gesture of thanking them, but the peace of mind it brought us is priceless. My suggestion would be to call the police in case of an accident. Trust me, it is easy to deal with the police rather than the other party involved. They are seasoned in dealing with these day and night and would guide you in the right direction.

As for the car, the car got repaired under insurance. The bike bent in half and is a total loss.

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