A Minor Road Accident

Rahul's bike skids on a wet road and he gets a minor injury. A passerby helps him and calls for assistance.

Meanings in Rahul, Passerby, Auto rickshaw driver

Key words and phrases

accidentan unexpected event causing damage or injuryHe met with a minor accident on his way home.

skidto slide uncontrollably, especially a vehicleThe bike skidded on the wet road.

injuryphysical harm caused by an accidentHe suffered a minor injury on his knee.

first aidimmediate basic medical help given after an injuryThe passerby gave him first aid.

bruisea mark on the skin caused by an injuryHe had a bruise on his arm.

bandagea strip of material used to cover a woundShe wrapped a bandage around his knee.

ambulancea vehicle used to transport injured or sick peopleLuckily, they didn't need to call an ambulance.

helmetprotective headgear worn while riding a bikeHis helmet protected him from a serious head injury.

passerbya person who happens to be walking pastA kind passerby stopped to help him.

cautiongreat care to avoid dangerRide with caution on wet roads.

wounda cut or opening in the skin caused by injuryThe doctor cleaned the wound carefully.

scratcha light cut or mark on the skinHe got a scratch on his elbow.

swellingan area of the body that becomes larger due to injuryThere was slight swelling around his ankle.

antiseptica substance that prevents infection in a woundShe applied antiseptic to the cut.

clinica small medical center for treatmentThey took him to the nearby clinic.

potholea hole in the surface of a roadThe bike skidded because of a pothole.

brakea device used to slow or stop a vehicleHe pressed the brake too late.

witnessa person who sees an event happenA witness told the police what happened.

recoverto become well again after an injuryHe will recover fully within a week.

fracturea break or crack in a boneThe X-ray showed a small fracture in his wrist.

strainan injury to a muscle caused by overstretching itHe got a strain in his shoulder trying to lift the bike.

dizzyfeeling unsteady, as if about to fallHe felt a little dizzy after the fall.

Useful sentences

Ask Are you okay? What happened?
Answer My bike skidded on the wet road, I'm a bit hurt.
Ask Do you need any first aid?
Answer Yes, please, my knee is bleeding a little.
Ask Should we call an ambulance?
Answer No, I think a bandage should be enough.
Ask Were you wearing a helmet?
Answer Yes, thankfully, it protected my head.
Ask Can you stand up and walk?
Answer Yes, I think I can manage now.
Ask Does it still hurt when you press here?
Answer Just a little, but it's much better now.
Ask Should I apply some antiseptic on the wound?
Answer Yes, that would help prevent infection.
Ask Was there a pothole on the road?
Answer Yes, I didn't see it in time.
Ask Is there any swelling near your ankle?
Answer A little, but it doesn't hurt too much.
Ask How long will it take you to recover?
Answer The doctor said about a week.

Dialogue

RahulOuch! My bike just skidded on this wet road.

PasserbyAre you alright? Let me help you up.

RahulThank you. My knee hurts a little, but I think I'm fine.

PasserbyLet me give you some first aid, I have a bandage in my bag.

Auto DriverDo you need a lift to a nearby clinic?

RahulThat would be helpful, thank you both so much.

PasserbyTake care of yourself, and check the wound at the clinic.

RahulI will. Thank you for stopping to help me.

Auto DriverNo problem at all. Let's go, the clinic is close by.

RahulThanks, I feel much better already.

Common mistakes

Saying "I had accident" instead of "I had an accident" or "I met with an accident."
Saying "my bike slipped" and "my bike skidded" as unrelated — skid is the more precise word for a vehicle losing control on a surface.
Saying "give me first aid box" instead of "give me first aid" when asking for treatment, not the box itself.
Saying "I am dizzy feeling" instead of the correct word order "I am feeling dizzy."
Using "wound" and "injury" interchangeably — a wound is the actual cut, while injury is the general harm.
Saying "I am recovered" instead of "I have recovered" or "I am recovering."

Quick quiz

1. What does "skid" mean?

2. Immediate basic medical help given after an injury is called ___.

3. Complete: "Ride with ___ on wet roads."

4. What is a small cut or opening in the skin called?

5. Complete: "There was a ___ in the road that caused the skid."

6. Feeling unsteady, as if about to fall, is called feeling ___.

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