Plain Tiger Butterfly

We were driving from Bangalore to Munnar (India) and had stopped enroute for refreshments. When one of the parked cars drove away I stepped into the sun only to see this butterfly flying on its side (Second photo). I never knew butterflies could be run over by a car! I picked up the little guy and it was ALIVE! It got a good grip on my finger but could not hold on to a branch I had put it on. I left it on the ground, under a bushy plant...hopefully away from harm's way (definitely away from automobiles.)