Road Accident / Major Trauma
Make the scene safe, call 112, control bleeding, do not move the injured.
RECOGNIZE
- Vehicle collision, fall from height, or being struck by a vehicle.
- Severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, obvious limb deformity, embedded objects.
- Neck or back pain, tingling or weakness in limbs suggests possible spinal injury.
- Major burns after a vehicle fire.
CALL
- Call 112 for every serious road accident — it reaches police, fire and medical services together.
- Give the exact location, number of people injured, and whether anyone is trapped or unconscious.
DO NOW
- 1MAKE THE SCENE SAFEWatch for traffic, fuel and fire. Do not become a casualty yourself.
- 2CALL 112Give the exact location and how many people are hurt.
- 3DO NOT MOVE THE INJUREDLeave them in the position found unless the scene is unsafe or they need lifesaving care.
- 4STOP SEVERE BLEEDINGPress firmly on any heavily bleeding wound with a clean cloth.
- 5CHECK BREATHINGIf someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR.
- 6KEEP THEM WARM AND TALKINGCover with a blanket, reassure them, and note the time of the crash.
DO NOT DO
- DO NOT remove a helmet unless the airway cannot be managed otherwise.
- DO NOT pull an embedded object out of the body — pad around it.
- DO NOT move someone with suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger.
- DO NOT give food, water or cigarettes to an injured person.
- DO NOT crowd around; keep the road clear for the ambulance.
WHILE WAITING FOR HELP
- Keep pressure on bleeding wounds continuously.
- Support the head and neck in the position found if you must stay with them.
- Keep the injured warm and shielded from sun or rain.
- Note the number of casualties and their condition for the crew.
WHEN TO ESCALATE
- Unresponsive with abnormal breathing → Cardiac Arrest flow.
- Uncontrolled bleeding → Severe Bleeding flow.
- Trapped person or fire → keep back and tell 112 immediately.
AFTERCARE
- Anyone in a serious crash should be checked at hospital even if they feel fine — internal injury can be silent.
- In India, the Good Samaritan protections under the Motor Vehicles Act encourage bystanders to help injured people.
CPR rhythm · 110 per minute
Push hard in the centre of the chest. At least 5 cm deep, not more than about 6 cm. Let the chest come fully back up each time.
Keep going until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.
MEDICAL SOURCES
American Red Cross
Focused Updates and Guidelines for First Aid
Published / updated 2024 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
European Resuscitation Council
ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid
Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open sourceMinistry of Home Affairs, Government of India
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) — 112 pan-India emergency number
Published / updated 2019 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18
Open source
This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.