CMV ACCIDENTS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Accidents Happen When You Least Expect Them
How to Handle the Chaos
•
•
•
•
What to do before an accident
What to do at the scene
What NOT to do at the scene
What to do after the accident
PREPARATION
• The key to performing at the scene of an
accident -- be prepared before it occurs
• Check your vehicle for proper Emergency
Equipment
• Know company Accident Reporting
Procedures
• Know your insurance information
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
• Warning devices
– Triangles or flares
• Fire extinguisher
– Is it charged and properly secured?
• Accident packet
– Report form and camera
Proper Use of Emergency Equip.
• 4 Way flashers
– Turn on immediately
• Triangles
– Place within 10 minutes
• Do you know where to place triangles?
Triangle Placement – Straight Road
Triangle Placement – Divided Highway
Accident Reporting Kit
• Always carry one in truck
• Always know where to find it
• Become familiar with its layout
– Complete for EVERY accident
REPORTING PROCEDURES
•
•
•
•
Who do you contact?
What is the telephone number?
Is the number different after hours?
Who is the backup person to contact?
• Do you know post-accident drug/alcohol
testing criteria?
Post Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing
• Driver is responsible for knowing
regulations
• Failure to get tested can be
interpreted as a refusal to be
tested => positive test result
• Do you know when you must be
tested under DOT rules?
AT THE SCENE...
1) Secure The Scene
2) Notify The Authorities &
your company
3) Document The Details
SECURE THE SCENE
• Stop the vehicle.
– Do Not move the unit until the authorities tell you
to move it, unless there is danger of fire
• Shutdown engine and turn on flashers
• Set out warning devices in proper locations
• Attend to injured parties -- do not move
injured people
NOTIFY AUTHORITIES & COMPANY
• Do Not leave vehicle unattended
• Use a telephone or CB if
possible to notify
• You may have to ask someone
to call
• ALWAYS notify, no matter how
minor
WHAT NOT TO DO AT SCENE
• DO NOT sign anything, except a
citation from a police officer
• DO NOT admit fault or apologize
• DO NOT discuss the accident with
anyone except the police, your
company, and/or your insurance
company
• DO NOT photograph injured people
WHAT TO DO AT SCENE
• DO be professional, courteous, and polite
• DO fill out accident packet completely
• DO get as much information as possible
• DO take photos of relevant information
Photographing the Accident Scene
DOCUMENTING...
• DO get information from witnesses. If unwilling
to cooperate, get license plate number and
vehicle description for insurance company
• DO take pictures of scene and all damage
• DO NOT take pictures of injured people
• COMPLETE YOUR ACCIDENT KIT!!
AFTER THE EVENT
• Take a few minutes to relax
• Call your company to update them on
details
• Write down any additional details that you
can remember
• Learn from the experience to prevent
future collisions
– If you think there was no way to avoid this
accident, what do you plan to do the next time
you are in this situation?
Lets Talk About Speed
• Speed is a major contributor to most
accidents
• Excess speed cuts down your field of vision
• Excess speed increases your reaction time
• Excess speed increases your stopping
distance
Too Fast For Conditions?
Car vs. Truck Stopping Distance
Speed/Space Management
• This is the key to avoiding accidents
• Space management is relevant
whether you are going 5 mph or 55
mph
• When space between your truck and
another object becomes zero – you
just had an accident!
Protect Yourself
By Protecting Others
• Rule #1 – always assume every other
driver on the road is crazy
• Sometimes you have to protect bad drivers
from themselves
– But by doing this you are protecting the
company and yourself as well (drive
defensively)
Check Your Ego at the Door
• Don’t tailgate to block someone from
cutting you off
• Don’t be aggressive because someone
else is being aggressive
• Drive like every car around you has one of
your children in it!...
THANK YOU
On Behalf of KMTA and
Marvin Johnson and
AssociatesThank You for attending!