Good Samaritan Law
India loses over 1.5 lakh lives in road accidents every year — many preventable if bystanders had acted faster. Fear of police harassment was the #1 reason people did not help. The Good Samaritan Law (MVA 1988 s.134A) changed that.
If you stop to help an accident victim in India, the law shields you completely. You cannot be arrested, charged, forced to pay medical bills, or repeatedly questioned by police. You give your name once and you're free to leave. Any hospital must treat the victim immediately, no deposit required.
🛡️ 5 protections the law gives you
No arrest or detention
You cannot be arrested, detained, or named as an accused merely because you transported an accident victim to hospital.
No financial liability
You are not liable for the injured person's medical expenses. The hospital must admit and treat the victim regardless of payment.
No forced repeated questioning
Police can question you only once, in your place of choice, during day hours. You may leave after providing your name and address.
No disclosure of identity
You have the right to remain anonymous if you wish. You may inform the police without disclosing your identity to the hospital.
Hospital must treat — no questions asked
Under Government of India Guidelines 2015, hospitals must provide immediate treatment without waiting for police formalities or payments.
📋 How to help — step by step
Call 108 (ambulance) or 112 (emergency) immediately
Do this first. The call log documents your identity and time of call — this protects you legally.
Move the victim only if there is immediate danger (fire, traffic)
Avoid unnecessary movement — spinal injuries can worsen. Wait for ambulance guidance if possible.
Transport to the nearest hospital — any hospital
Private hospitals must accept the patient for emergency stabilisation under the 2015 Guidelines. They cannot refuse.
Inform the hospital staff you are a Good Samaritan
Say: "I am a Good Samaritan under MVA 1988 Section 134A. I am protected from liability." This triggers the correct protocol.
Provide your name, phone number, and time of incident to police — once only
You are only required to give basic identity information. You may refuse repeated questioning beyond this.
⚡ Myths — busted
If I help and the victim dies, I could be charged with culpable homicide.
Completely false. Section 134A explicitly protects Good Samaritans from civil and criminal liability. No case can be filed against you for helping.
Hospitals can refuse to treat the victim unless someone pays a deposit.
Government guidelines explicitly prohibit hospitals from demanding a deposit or refusing treatment in an emergency. File a complaint if they do.
I must wait at the scene until police arrive.
You may leave after providing your identity to police or hospital. You cannot be detained.
The law only applies to government hospitals.
The Good Samaritan Guidelines apply to all hospitals — government and private.
📋 Legal basis
Statutory protection for Good Samaritans — inserted by MVA Amendment 2019
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways — detailed operational guidelines for hospitals and police
Supreme Court directed all states to implement Good Samaritan protections and publish them
Duty of driver involved in accident to report and render assistance
Legal information, not legal advice. This explains what the law says. If you face harassment after helping an accident victim, contact the Savelife Foundation helpline or a lawyer immediately.