Involved in an accident? Here’s how not to make it worse — legal steps, hospital list and safety guide

NEW DELHI: In light of recent road accidents in Delhi, TOI brings a detailed guide for drivers and bystanders to respond effectively and avoid worsening the situation.

If you are involved in an accident, the first step is to call 112 to alert the police control room immediately. If you find yourself surrounded by a hostile crowd, inform the cops while driving away and report to the nearest police station.

Next, rush the victim to a nearby hospital. You can dial 102 for an ambulance, or stop a passing car, auto, or taxi. If unsure where to go, Google “hospitals near me.”

Once the victim is admitted, appear before the police. Accident cases are bailable if you do not run away or try to cover up. Hiring a lawyer is recommended for further court proceedings.

Several legal sections apply during road accidents. Section 106 deals with death by negligence, while Section 105 relates to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Section 281 covers rash driving or riding on a public way, and Section 125 addresses acts endangering life or personal safety.

Scenarios when these are applied

• Section 105 – Applied when the offender is aware that the incident may result in death but does not intend to cause death or serious bodily harm. This can occur through actions like dragging the victim or failing to provide first aid. Punishment can include imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for not less than 10 years, and may extend up to 10 years, along with a fine.
• Section 106 – Applied when driving negligently or recklessly causes fatalities.
  • Subsection (1) – Acts that are rash or negligent; imprisonment may extend up to five years.
  • Subsection (2) – Hit-and-run cases; imprisonment may extend up to 10 years.
• Section 125 – Applied for acts endangering life or personal safety during rash driving that may cause serious injuries or death. Punishment depends on the nature of the injuries and may range from three months to three years of imprisonment.
• Section 281 – Applied where a person drives any vehicle on a public road in a manner that is so reckless or negligent that it endangers human life, or is likely to cause injury to another person.

Recent cases underline the importance of these laws. In September, a 57-year-old senior government official died, and his wife was injured after being hit by a BMW in Dhaula Kuan.

The accused driver was booked for culpable homicide. In August, a 32-year-old factory worker died after a car driven by a minor hit and dragged him for nearly 600 metres in Samaypur Badli.

In the latest BMW accident in Dhaula Kuan, the accused was criticized for taking the victim to a hospital nearly 22 km away.

To avoid such mistakes, citizens should be aware of nearby hospitals or trauma centres where victims can be taken.

West Delhi

• Acharya Shree Bhikshu Hospital, Moti Nagar
• Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Hari Nagar
• Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, Jahangirpuri
• Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital, Ashok Vihar
• Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini

South Delhi

• Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center, Raj Nagar, Safdarjung Enclave
• Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar East, near to AIIMS Metro Station
• Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital, Malviya Nagar
• Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar
• Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj

East Delhi

• Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, Kalyanpuri
• Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Shastri Park
• Dr. Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan, Karkardooma
• Max Hospital, Patparganj

Central/North Delhi

• Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi Gate
• Hindu Rao Hospital, Malka Ganj
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Baba Kharak Singh Marg
• Aruna Asaf Ali Government Hospital, Civil Lines
• Sushruta Trauma Centre, Civil Lines

This guide serves as an essential resource for anyone involved in an accident, helping to ensure victims receive timely care while following proper legal procedures.