No matter how many precautions a driver takes, how much care they take on the road and how many good luck charms you stockpile in the truck cab, eventually one of your trucking company’s trucks will probably be involved in a traffic accident.
The various reactions will set in quickly. Anger. Shock. Concern. Financial panic as you consider your insurance premiums.
The questions will rise quickly, too, but aside from the immediate worries – the safety of the driver and of the cargo, in that order – most can be handed off to your insurance company, which will not automatically charge you a fortune in higher premiums with the proper precautions.
Part of that is making sure your drivers know what to do in the case of an accident.
Drivers who observe the proper procedures for reporting an accident can better control the outcome of any incident in way that will benefit themselves, your trucking company and your insurance rates.
First things first: prompt and immediate reporting is key in reducing claim payouts. There is no benefit in waiting to file a a report on an accident, and plenty of upsides in reporting quickly and efficiently so the insurance company can assess the situation and, hopefully, determine you’re not on the hook for higher premiums after issuing a big payout to another party.
Your driver will need to start by making some calls. First, call the police. Second, call your insurance carrier. Third, call dispatch/your office. While you might prefer being told first, your driver can explain everything while waiting for police to arrive, saving time and also giving your insurance company a chance to start a case file, as well.
Next, the driver will need to start documenting everything involving the accident. Assemble an accident kit – gather all info available and witness statements, take 360 degrees of pictures and write down everything you remember. A thorough documentation of the accident can prevent later misunderstandings that might cast your driver in a bad light.
When the police arrive, they’ll also question everyone, including your driver. Make sure your driver knows how to handle himself during such an interrogation. No matter what happened, the driver must know not to increment themself or accept fault. Any inadvertent statement, even a big of false modesty, can cast your driver in a light that could end up in a big payday for someone else, and more insurance premiums for you.
Finally, stop your recording if you have cameras installed. The camera footage is needed for the accident itself, so shut it off after the accident and preserve the footage for the adjustors. They don’t need to see the aftermath of your own information gathering efforts.
For further protection, gaining the aid of a company like Fleet Risk Solutions can help greatly. They can guide you through the various hurdles such an incident can create and get you, your truck and you driver back where you all need to be: on the road.
An accident doesn’t have to be a disaster for your trucking company.
By following the correct protocols, you can better ensure any accident is not blamed on your company and that your insurance premiums don’t skyrocket from one incident. Taking the right steps will only benefit your company, your driver and your business as a whole.
About the Author
Logan utilizes a holistic approach to assist trucking companies with growth, and survival in one of the most volatile times in our history. A strong risk management program is critical for every business, but trucking companies are extremely susceptible to breaks in the risk management process. Maintenance violations, driver violations, breakdowns, driver turnover, and the list goes on, all have a domino effect on each other, and the cost of operating a trucking company.