Restoring India’s faith in humanity with the Good Samaritan Law

Ever saw or heard about a road crash? The first thing you feel is pity and remorse against either the not in-line system or people not helping the victim. But we do not realize that we are part of the crowd who prefer talking and making videos about the entire incident rather than actually helping.

It is time to stop being just another bystander, doing nothing but just frowning upon the entire mishappening. Step up and do something about it! Like a Good Samaritan would.

Who is a Good Samaritan? – In simple terms, it is someone who steps forward.

A person, without expecting any form of reward or duty of relationship, voluntarily comes forward to provide assistance or emergency care in any accident, crash or medical emergency. Done in good faith and an effort to lend a hand in desperate times is what makes a Good Samaritan.

Our country needs such people, and now is the time to be someone’s hope. Especially when road accidents in India kill lakhs every year, making it more than the number of people killed in all our wars put together. For people willing to come forward, there might be a series of questions popping in your mind such as:

• Why should I help when others aren’t?
• Will I have to pay for medical bills?
• Will I have to bear the whole responsibility of the person?
• Are any legal complications and formal procedures involved?

Such questions can be addressed by the Good Samaritan Law. Over 70,000 lives can be potentially saved if by standers come forward to help. According to the Law Commission of India, 50% of the victims die of preventable injuries and could have been saved if they had received medical care on time.(Source)

Road accidents in India are biggest tragedies. But what seconds it is the heartless attitude of the bypassers who do nothing but just Stop, Look, MoveOn.

In 2012, SaveLIFE Foundation filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, requesting it to defend Good Samaritans who step up to help road victims. The appeal was heard and in 2016 the Supreme Court gave “force of law” to the guidelines for the protection of Good Samaritans.

A Samaritan can do more than just a deed, they can help bring a radical change. However, still 8 out of 10 people are unaware of Good Samaritan Law. Here’s what you need to know about it:

• Disciplinary action can be taken against officials who force a Samaritan to reveal personal details, as he is not obligated to do so.
• A Good Samaritan will not be liable for any action on the account of injury or death of the victim.
• Good Samaritans are not obligated to bear any costs for victim treatments.
• Hospitals cannot refuse treatment to a victim, and if the doctor does not respond timely then he can be penalized with “Professional Misconduct”.
• The Good Samaritan can choose to be an eyewitness and cannot be compelled.

Do not let the “golden hour” take away a precious life, which could have easily been saved if someone was willing to help. We all are on road at some point of the day, thus making us equally prone to fatalities. Therefore, be someone’s support because you never know when you might need it too.