W H O I S A T F A U L T ? W H O I S
R E S P O N S I B L E F O R M Y D A M A G E S ?
A R E T H E Y R E A L L Y I N J U R E D ?
WH A T T O D O I N T H E E V E N T O F A
M O T O R V E H I C L E A C C I D E N T
• Ensure the scene is safe
– Take the precautions necessary to protect the scene of the accident from further accidents or injuries
• Do a health check
– Make sure everyone is ok – Many injuries cannot be seen
– The shock of the accident may delay symptoms – For serious injuries, call 911
• Move to safety
– Relocate yourself and passengers to a safe place
– Use flares, safety cones and other safety equipment to warn other drivers of the potential hazard
– If there are injuries or questions about liability, leave your vehicle where it is
WH A T T O D O I N T H E E V E N T O F A
M O T O R V E H I C L E A C C I D E N T
C O N T I N U E D
• Call the proper authorities
– Police Department – Fire Department
– Hazardous Material Remediation • Contact your Motor Carrier
– Follow your Safety Department’s Guideline • Contact Insurance carrier
– Prompt reporting helps mitigate the loss
– Allows insurance company opportunity to deploy resources – Preserves evidence
– Effectuate early and economical settlements • Keep an accident kit in the vehicle
– Notebook-Note as many details as you can: street names, collision points, vehicle damage – Pencil and Pen-Pen may not work in cold weather
– Scene diagram-Sketch the scene: street names, vehicle location, direction of travel, skid marks – Camera: Road layout, position of vehicles, impact points, damages
WH A T T O D O I N T H E E V E N T O F A
M O T O R V E H I C L E A C C I D E N T
C O N T I N U E D
• Cooperate with authorities
– Answer any questions asked of you and give the information
– Record the officer's name, badge number and his or her station's address and phone number
– Identify how to obtain a copy of the police report
WH A T N O T T O D O WH E N A
M O T O R V E H I C L E A C C I D E N T H A S
O C C U R R E D
• DO NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY OR MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY
• Do not discuss the accident with anyone except for your:
– Employer – Motor carrier
– Investigating Officer
– Insurance Company representative-after they have properly identified themselves • Do not sign papers except for your:
– Employer – Motor carrier
– Investigating Officer
– Insurance company representative
M O T O R V E H I C L E C O L L I S I O N C H E C K L I S T
• Motor Vehicle Collision Checklist for Drivers to include:• The date, time, and exact location of the accident
• Complete identification of all vehicles involved in the accident
– Year, make and model
– Vehicle identification number – License Plate
• Identity of drivers, vehicle owner and passengers
M O T O R V E H I C L E C O L L I S I O N
C H E C K L I S T
• Witness Information – Name – Age – Address – Phone number– Vehicle identification information • Investigating Authorities information
– Officer’s name – Agency
– Badge number – Report number – Phone Number
– Note any Citations Issued • Traffic conditions
A C C I D E N T S C E N E P H O T O G R A P H Y
A C C I D E N T S C E N E P H O T O G R A P H Y
A C A M E R A I S A N E C E S S A R Y T O O L T O H E L P P R O T E C T
Y O U R S E L F A G A I N S T P O T E N T I A L F R A U D , L I M I T Y O U R
L I A B I L I T Y , A S S I S T I N C L A I M S C A S E S A N D H E L P D R I V E R ’ S
A C C I D E N T S C E N E P H O T O G R A P H Y
C O N T I N U E D
• Act immediately-take photos BEFORE vehicles are moved.
• Follow your company’s accident procedures. When taking pictures, be careful. Do not position yourself where you may be injured.
• Take as many shots of the overall scene of the accident from opposite directions making sure to get the whole scene. Close-up (1’-5’), medium distance (10’-15’)and panoramic shots (20’ +). Stand far enough away to get the whole accident scene. Partial scene photos are not
effective.
• Shoot all available pictures on the roll of film at an accident scene-that one extra picture may hold key evidence to protect you and your company
• Photograph the condition of the roadway such as potholes, obstructions and debris
• Take photos of any skid marks or gouge marks left on the roadway. Take photos of these marks from both directions.
• Take photo of traffic control signs and intersection markings.
A C C I D E N T S C E N E P H O T O G R A P H Y
C O N T I N U E D
• Take as many photographs as necessary of the other vehicles involved in the accident. Take the photographs from opposite corners of the other vehicles so you can see all four sides of the vehicle. Stand 10 feet away from the other vehicle or object to get a better view or image of the damages.
• Take four photographs of your vehicle from the opposite corners.
• Take photographs of the other people involved in the accident, only if they do not appear
injured.
• Take photos of license tags, ID numbers, unique marking of autos and vehicles belonging to persons who claim to have witnessed the accident, but will not identify themselves.
• Take all remaining shots of items you feel will help show how and why the accident occurred. Plan to “tell a story” with your photographs.
• Label and identify what you are taking photographs of
A C C I D E N T S C E N E P H O T O G R A P H Y
C O N T I N U E D
• DO NOT take photos of anyone who has been injured or is deceased as a result of the accident.
• DO NOT take photos of graphic scenes.
