I got nailed by an open manhole on my mountain bike a few weeks ago, went flying through the air bike got messed up, buckled rim etc,Grazed whole left side of my body, wearing no helmet(stupid), this all happened on a busy street in the evening,i lay there for a few mins cos i couldnt really move with the bike entangled with my legs. Everyone Gawked not one person came and even said like " hey are you allright"? Suffice to say i now wear my helmet.

So what should you do? i'm not sure but just don't do what the locals do i.e nothing, maybe ask from a distance if they want help and ascertain exactly how it happened, cos big possibility they will turn on you.

If it's a serious accident, do what you would in any western country - call emergency services. Here in China it's 119. Or ask people (a crowd will gather) to call.

In any serious accident, unless you are a trained medical professional, even if you want to help, you might do more harm than good, so use your judgement. For example, 2 year old in the street I would at least do something - like call 119 and block traffic.

If the accident is not too serious, I find that simply asking someone "Do you need help?" is the best way to enter into being nice and helping. Some people will refuse because they want the police to arrive.

My answer may sound a bit sarcastic, but believe me, it is not my intention but reality in China, so take my advise, or ignore it, your choice, but do not cry wolf later, OK ?

1.- Victims of traffic accidents will sue everyone possible in hope to collect from someone (as done everywhere). Here in China, if a foreigner is taken to Court on a case vs a Chinese national, I do not care who is right, has the reason, or what, the foreigner will loose and will loose big !. After all, all foreigners are rich, right ?. So, call 119 (or ask someone fluent in Mandarin to call), try hard to keep on going traffic away from victims, BUT REFRAIN from approaching, much less touching them.

2.- When the local Police arrive, you just disapear, do not identify yourself to anyone. In doing so, you avoid being named in any future Court action. Besides, the family of the guilty party will not see gracefully a foreigner as a witness against their relative.

3.- And of course, if you are religious, you can pray for the victim all you wish.

I will relate one of my experiences. Maybe a month ago, about 23:00 hours, I was on my eletrical bike going back home. I noticed in front of me a fellow driving another one at a high rate of speed and zig zagging a lot. After following him behind at a reasonable distance (narrow street, it was hard to pass him safely), he finally slipped and fell with the bike, sliding to a stop and without a doubt, being injured (no helmet). I stopped my bike behind him, took a look and he was totally out, so while dialing 119 I saw a patrol car approaching and flag it down. In my poor Mandarin told officers he slipped and fell down in front of me. They went to him, took a look, and started to hit him on his feet to awaken him. When I saw that, I got on my bike and left.

There was nothing else I could do, or was willing to do.

I think all the answers above offer good advice but I can't help but feel angered at the lack of empathy and conscience of people nowadays and at the thirst for money at the expense of selflessly performing a good deed. It's worrisome and frightening that in this day and age, rather than automatically running over to save someone's life, you have to stop yourself and think "is this person going to sue me?". This is just totally f*****d up.

Unless it's something like the two-year-old in the street. Just look and see if anyone else is calling 119. If not, call yourself.

Dont get involved you wont get thanked for it in China

Call 120 if anyone gets hurt. Call 110 if they fight about who should take the response of the damage cars...