Your drivers are well-trained professionals, but what about everyone else on the road? This post focuses on why it’s important to provide your drivers with the necessary tools in the event of a crash.

DOT Reportable Accidents: What to Tell Your Drivers

A DOT reportable accident is one where a fatality occurred, a vehicle was towed from the accident, or someone was sent immediately to a hospital or doctor. Motor carriers should not only advise drivers how to handle these types of accidents, but expectations should be clearly stated in a Driver’s Manual.

Here are five things your drivers need to know about a DOT reportable accident:

1. The driver must be drug & alcohol tested following all fatal accidents. If your driver was cited for any of the other DOT reportable reasons, then your driver needs to make arrangements to have a Post-Accident Drug and Breath Alcohol test. A driver only has eight hours to complete an alcohol test and 32 hours for the drug test. If for any reason your driver cannot get this done within the time allotted s/he must document why s/he are unable to complete testing.  If your driver is unable to find a lab that does the testing, s/he may call Global Safety at 701-792-9808
2. With whom to talk. Your driver(s) should not talk to anyone other than the motor carrier’s insurance company and law enforcement officers, or adjusters assigned by the insurance company.
3. The Insurance Company will help with HazMat. The motor carrier’s insurance company will make arrangement for towing companies, if HazMat is involved or if Diesel spill cleanup is needed.
4. The driver(s) must keep in contact with dispatch. Always advise the Shipper and Consignee if there is damage to the cargo.
5. Take photos of the accident. Include actual photos of damages, the area around accident scene, skid marks, and road photos before and after accident scene. be sure to also photos of license plates of vehicles around you, in case of a witness account.

Truck Insurance Claims Kit Contents

In addition to a Driver’s Manual, it is important that each driver be equipped with a claims kit. At a minimum, each and every motor carrier should provide its driver(s) with the following in a claims kit:

• Fillable Accident Investigation Report
• After-Hours Emergency Number
• Insurance Company Name and Number
• Cargo Claim Reporting Number
• Injury Reporting Number