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Steps to Follow In Case of an Accident |
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The owner/driver of the vehicle must report the accident
to the nearest police station within 24 hours, and also to his insurance
company in the event of an accident.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an auto accident that has caused injury or
damage to any person, animal, vehicle or property should render all possible
assistance to the injured and report the matter to the nearest police station
within 24 hours.
If the accident involves a vehicle carrying dangerous good (oil tankers,
chemical carriers, etc.) it is advisable to keep everyone away. Do not let
anyone smoke within 100 metres. Take emergency action as per the information
displayed on the vehicle.
You should offer medical assistance. If the person refuses, attempt to obtain
in writing that he/she does not wish to receive medical attention. Note down
the names and addresses of the witnesses and registration numbers of the
vehicles passing by. They may be useful in case of legal complications later.
Note down the name of the policeman who comes on the scene. |
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Medical Help |
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Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act casts obligatory
responsibility on every driver/owner of the vehicle involved in an accident to
convey the injured to the nearest hospital/medical practitioner. The doctor so
approached shall be duty bound to render necessary medical aid or treatment
without waiting for any procedural formalities. |
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First Aid Tips |
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In case of an accident ask for professional help
instantly, however till the time help comes a few pointers how you can help.
Your first priority should be to save a life, to prevent aggravation of
injuries and to assist in recovery. Absence of any physical wound does not
indicate that the victim is completely all right. An injury to the head or
abdomen may not manifest itself immediately and the victim has to be escorted
to a safe place and asked to remain there, till examined by a medical officer.
The three major areas that have to be examined in case of an accident are:
airways, breathing and circulation.
In the eventuality of a broken neck the basic rules to be followed are: Never
mishandle or move him around for him for it may lead to permanent paralysis.
Check the airways first, because if the airway is deprived of oxygen for more
than three minutes, it can cause irreversible damage to the human system
resulting in death. Therefore, obstruction to the airways is of the greatest
priority.
This obstruction can be diagnosed from the color of the lips, breathing sounds
and feel the expelled air on your cheek. If the breathing is absent, explore
thew mouth bodily with a finger and remove the obstruction. This movement will
pull the tongue forward and restore the airway. Secondly, check the breathing.
If the first step does not help in restoring the breathing, a mouth to mouth
resuscitation is required. Take a deep breath, pinch the victim's nostrils
together with your fingers, and seals your lips around his mouth. Look along
the chest and blow into the victim's lungs until you see his chest rising.
Thirdly, take care to see if the victim is bleeding to death. When bleeding is
very severe, blood pressure falls and bleeding stops. We can stop bleeding by
direct hand or thumb pressure over the wound. Retain the pressure for no more
than 15 minutes. Any injury to the spine can result in paralysis. The first aid
to be administered it: gently lift the neck if the neck is flexed and try to
keep the victim looking straight to his front. Don't let the head flop about
from side to side or let his head rotate.
If you have a burns victim, do not remove any burnt clothing from the body of
the victim. Cover the area with clean material. Pouring cold, clean water over
a fire burn is a good treatment. |
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Towing the vehicle |
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For towing a break down vehicle, it is always advisable
to use a crane. Only if a crane is not available, a rigid tow bar can be used.
Never use a rope or flexible cable for towing, because your vehicle can dash
against the towing vehicle if it suddenly stops.
Engage a vehicle in neutral gear when towing it. If its transmission system has
failed, and the gear is stuck, the axle shafts should be removed.
Use the parking brake to control your vehicle if the brake has failed. Use
hazard-warning lamps for giving clear indications to other road users.
It is also important to avoid moving the vehicle unless ordered to do so by a
police officer.
It is imperative that person(s) who are trapped are removed. It is necessary to
prevent fire or obstruction to public.
You should avoid handling the injured unless it is necessary as a life-saving
measure.
Also avoid getting into arguments with the other party and/or witnesses. |
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