Road Accident Emergency Number in India: Who to Call, What to Say and What to Do in the First 10 Minutes (2026 Guide)

When an accident occurs on the highway, most people panic. They don't know whom to call; there are injured individuals, and the vehicles are still in motion. This manual solves all that for you.

Quick answer

The main road accident emergency number in India is 112. For an ambulance, call 108. On a national highway, you can also call 1073 or 1033. Calls to 112 and 108 are free from any phone.

Why the Right Road Accident Emergency Number Matters

The MoRTH's Road Accidents in India 2023 report shows that in just one year there were 4,80,583 road accidents, and 1,72,890 people have died due to this; and in just one year, this adds up to about 20 fatalities an hour. The state of Uttar Pradesh has the highest road fatalities in the country. Many people die because of delayed aid. There is always talk from doctors about the 'golden hour'. The golden hour refers to the first hour after getting a severe injury. In that hour, the very first call will determine your survival chances. It only takes a few minutes to know what accident emergency number India has set up.

Road Accident Emergency Number List: Quick Reference

Here is each road accident emergency number and when to use it.

112 Emergency Number for Accident: When to Call

The 112 emergency number for accidents is a better option when you are unaware of what you need. This is the single emergency number of India, connecting you with police, fire, and ambulance help through the single control system. In the case of Uttar Pradesh, the call will connect you to the 112 control room of the State, which will pass your details to police, ambulance or fire service.

You should call 112 when:

• There are any serious injuries or even deaths
  
  
• Vehicles have been burned down or blocked on the way
  
  
• The other driver has run away (hit-and-run)

You can use the 112 India app to send an SOS with your location. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, ERSS connects each call to the police, health, fire service, and so on, so that help reaches you in the golden hours.

108 Ambulance for Road Accident: What to Expect

In case of injury, one can call the 108 ambulance for road accidents at once. In Uttar Pradesh, 108 is the emergency ambulance service which is free of cost. This ambulance service has a team, oxygen, and life support equipment. Along with 112, this is the second emergency number for road accidents that everyone driving must keep in mind.

Arrival will depend on traffic, distance, and availability of the ambulance. In case the casualty is critical, don’t rely solely on a single service provider. One can contact a private road accident ambulance service in the meantime.

Need an ambulance right now? Call ICU Ambulance Service Lucknow at [+91 7880310444]. Our team answers 24x7.

Highway Accident Helpline Number: 1033 and 1073

For highways and expressways, the right highway accident helpline number can be useful, as the people there know the particular stretch.

• 1073: road accident emergency helpline service that is available for national highways (but may not be available in all states, so remember 1033 and 112 too)
  
  
• 1033: NHAI 24x7 toll-free helpline to arrange an ambulance, patrol car, and crane in case of an accident on NHAI tolled stretches. The number appears on NHAI FASTags

Lucknow lies on major roads like the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, the Purvanchal Expressway, and the Lucknow-Kanpur and Lucknow-Sultanpur Highways. On these roads, these numbers act as road accident emergency numbers along with 112. Remember the nearest kilometer post, your direction of travel, and the nearest toll plazas while calling.

What to Say When You Call for Help

When calling any road accident emergency line, remain composed and talk slowly. Tell the operator:

1. Location: landmark, junction, kilometer post, or nearest hospital
   
   
2. Nature of accident: car, bicycle, truck, or pedestrian accident
   
   
3. Number of victims, and whether anyone is unconscious or bleeding profusely
   
   
4. Any hazards: fire, fuel leakage, or heavy traffic
   
   
5. Your name and contact number, so that the team can contact you

Do not put down the telephone until the operator hangs up. Not sure what to tell them? Here is what information to give while booking an ambulance.

First 10 Minutes: What to Do Before Help Arrives

These are basic first aid steps. They help only until trained responders reach the spot.

1. The safety comes first. Activate hazard lights, avoid moving vehicles, and ask others to keep their distance.
   
   
2. Call for help. Dial 112 or 108 before doing anything else.
   
   
3. Check the person. See whether they respond and are breathing.
   
   
4. Control heavy bleeding. Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth. If it soaks through, add another cloth on top instead of removing the first.
   
   
5. Do not move the injured person unless there is fire or a risk of another collision. A neck or back injury can get worse with wrong movement.
   
   
6. Keep the helmet on unless the person cannot breathe.
   
   
7. Do not give water, food, or medicine.
   
   
8. Stay until help arrives. Keep the person warm and talk to them calmly.
   
   

Good Samaritan Law: Helping Will Not Get You in Trouble

Many are afraid of being questioned by the police or filling forms in hospitals. There is no need to worry; the law will protect you. Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act has been added through the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, and came into effect from 1st October 2020. It states that a Good Samaritan cannot be prosecuted in civil or criminal court for the injury or death of the victim if he helped in good faith and without expecting any reward. In simple words,

• The police and the hospital cannot detain you once you have informed the police and brought the victim to the hospital
  
  
• You don’t have to disclose your name or address if you don’t want to
  
  
• The police cannot compel you to be a witness
  
  

In addition, every public and private hospital shall put up the charter of Good Samaritan rights at the entrance of the hospital in Hindi, English, and the regional language.

When a Private Road Accident Ambulance Service Helps

Government ambulances play an important role, but they can be delayed due to heavy traffic or due to simultaneous calls. Most of the time, people look for the road accident emergency number only after the accident occurs, and this is where a saved private number comes in handy.

ICU Ambulance Service Lucknow offers 24x7 road accident ambulance service with basic, ICU, and ventilator ambulances, along with trained staff with over 20 years of experience in emergency ambulance service since 2004. We transport patients to hospitals like KGMU, SGPGI, and Lohia Hospital. When you dial us, please share your location, and we will provide you with the appropriate ambulance.

Save These Numbers Before You Need Them

• Program 112, 108, 1033, and our ambulance number into your phone along with their names
  
  
• Distribute the list to your family members, drivers, and office staff
  
  
• Always have a basic first aid kit and a flashlight in your car
  
  
• Program an emergency contact in your phone’s lock screen
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the road accident emergency number in India?

Dial 112 for all kinds of emergencies, including traffic accidents. Dial 108 for ambulances. On the national highways, you may also dial 1073 or 1033.

Is there a separate accident emergency number India has for highways?

Yes. NHAI operates the toll-free 1033 helpline for national highways. Also, the 1073 helpline for road accidents and the 112 helpline are available for highways.

Do I have to pay to call 112 or 108?

No. They are both free.

Can I get into legal trouble if I help an accident victim?

No. As per Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act, the Good Samaritan is protected from any civil and criminal liability.

What if the 108 ambulance is late?

Contact a private ambulance service at the same time. Do not move the victim if there is no immediate danger, and continue to control bleeding.

How many people die in road accidents in India every year?

According to MoRTH’s Report on Road Accidents in India 2023, 1,72,890 people have died in 4,80,583 accidents, with the most deaths occurring in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Conclusion

Keep three things in mind: 112 for any emergency, 108 for an ambulance, and 1073/1033 on the highway. Make sure to keep the number for the road accident emergency service handy, stay calm on the call, and provide your location details. For an ICU ambulance or basic ambulance in Lucknow, contact us anytime.

Had an Accident? Call Now: 24x7 Ambulance in Lucknow: [+91 7880310444]

Medical disclaimer: This guide offers general information and some first aid. This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency treatment. Numbers and regulations may vary, so refer to the official websites of MoRTH and NHAI for up-to-date information.