1To escape danger or disaster and remain safe; to survive.
溺れていた子供は近くにいた人に助けられて、助かった。
The drowning child was rescued by a nearby person and survived.
手術のおかげで彼は一命を取り留め、助かった。
Thanks to the surgery, he narrowly escaped death and survived.
地震で建物が倒壊したが、幸い全員助かった。
The building collapsed in the earthquake, but fortunately everyone survived.
2To come through an accident or disaster without suffering damage or harm.
台風の進路がそれて、この地域は助かった。
The typhoon's path shifted, and this area was spared.
すんでのところでブレーキが間に合い、事故にならずに助かった。
I braked just in time and narrowly avoided an accident.
3To be helped or have one's burden lightened by someone's assistance; often used to express gratitude, as in 〜してもらえると助かる ("it would help a lot if...").
荷物を運ぶのを手伝ってもらえて、本当に助かった。
I really appreciated the help carrying the luggage.
資料を先に送ってもらえると助かります。
It would help me a lot if you could send the materials in advance.
誰かこの仕事を代わってくれたら助かるんだけど。
It would be a big help if someone could take over this task for me.