Motor carriers have responsibilities and steps they should follow when one of their drivers is involved in a motor vehicle accident. The following steps are to help guide a motor carrier when that situation occurs:
- Determine if there is a need for medical attention. When there is a report of an accident, a motor carrier must first determine if the driver needs medical attention.
- Send management member or safety representative to the scene. Send a company representative to the accident site to assist with a response; this person should be performing their own accident investigation for the company once the situation is dealt with.
- Assess the scene. Make sure the driver has determined the scene is safe. Law enforcement should be called if they haven’t already been notified. Device warnings should already be out if the driver is capable of doing so.
- Start company investigation. Once the scene is determined to be safe and everyone has been assessed, then the representative from the company should start their own investigation. This time should be used to identify facts and take pictures of the scene, including the vehicles if damaged. Information about those involved, witnesses, names and departments of law enforcement involved and license numbers should all be obtained if possible.
- Record the accident. The accident must be recorded in the Accident Register if it is a DOT- recordable accident. The regis-ter must contain, at minimum, the date of the crash, the city or town and state most near where the crash occurred, the driver’s name, the number of injuries or fatalities, and what hazardous materials, other than fuel spilled from the fuel tanks of motor vehicles involved in the crash, were released. If a crash involves the release of hazardous materials, carriers must complete a hazardous incident re-port.
- Determine if a drug and alcohol test must be given. Make sure a post-accident drug and alcohol test, if necessary, is given within the time frames re-quired under DOT regulations.
- Document all details of the accident. Document the information for the accident and keep it in a detailed accident file report.
Insurance can be invaluable for any motor carrier and driver, as can other forms of coverage. Contact us to review your current policy and to look into other policies that can protect your business or to get more information on our trucking-specific resources.
This document is not intended to be an exhaustive source of information, nor should any discussion or op-tions be construed as legal advice. Readers should consult legal counsel or a licensed insurance professional for appropriate advice. Source: Zywave