If you’re in charge of managing a fleet, getting into an accident is likely something that’s been keeping you up at night. After all, it’s not enough to hope for the best and cross your fingers – being prepared for collisions can truly make or break productivity on the road.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to collision management; with our collective knowledge and helpful tips, you’ll be able to navigate what comes after an “accident” with confidence. 

We’ll help you identify preventable risks while understanding crucial steps like reporting requirements and taking corrective action when needed – so read on to learn how an effective collision management system can ensure the health of your fleet!

Protect Yourself from Litigation 

Truck accident claim

Dash cam footage is not enough to exonerate your drivers in the event of an accident claim. 

During litigation, companies need to prove their commitment and excellence to safety by demonstrating proper protocol – going beyond what’s captured from a crash incident.

If your fleet is involved in an accident, it’s essential to file an FNoL (First Notice of Loss) as soon as possible. This document notifies the insurance company of the accident and sets the process in motion for handling the claim. 

During this process, you should work with your insurance company to gather all necessary documentation and information for the claim. This includes accident reports, witness statements, photographs, and more.

The goal is to ensure a fair settlement for all parties involved and to get your fleet back on the road as soon as possible.

So, how do you ensure your drivers are meeting safety standards? 

Practicing positive driver coaching sets the scene for drivers to be open to performance feedback.

A blend of positive and constructive feedback results in a conversation with drivers, yielding success with consistent safe driving. 

Tips to Managing Fleet Insurance Claims 

Review Your Data 

laptop with data

In order to be prepared for insurance claims, you must know all your fleet’s data. Which can be overwhelming. Luckily, Driver•i advanced technology sifts through and organizes your data so you don’t have to. 

Knowing the context behind driver behavior like speeding, stop sign compliance, and hard braking will help you understand what leads to accidents. 

And Driver•i, is the only safety system that provides you with this data. 

Establish a Safety Program 

Older truck driver using a phone inside a semi. Get driver coaching insights using our Driver-i dash cam

To clear your drivers from any accusations, it’s not just about presenting video footage. You also need to demonstrate your company’s commitment to enhancing safety measures and the actions you are currently taking. 

This requires acknowledging and encouraging your drivers, so their responsible conduct is consistently practiced in the long run.

Know What to Look For

Receive-Data-Driven-Scores-

The outcome of claims will be based on the data you have. The more data, the better. 

Driver•i not only records 100 percent of drive time, but organizes data so you know what events are most important to address. 

Questions Worth Asking

If your fleet is involved in an accident, you may want to consider initiating a DataQ Challenge in the Crash Preventability Program. This challenge is a request to review and correct the data in your fleet’s safety measurement system. 

It’s important to initiate these challenges promptly with complete and accurate information about the accident. In many cases, the accident will be added to your Crash Indicator Basic if it meets specific criteria. This is where you can utilize the Crash Preventability Program, which is a part of the DataQ program, if you believe the accident was non-preventable for your fleet driver.

By initiating a preventability challenge, the FMCSA will review the facts of the crash and any evidence you submit. If they make the determination that the crash was not preventable by your driver, it will remain on your Crash Indicator Basic but will be moved to a different category that states the accident was not preventable by your driver.

This also means that the specific accident will not be counted towards calculation of your Crash Indicator Basic measurement.

Regularly ask these questions to stay on top of risk management and be better prepared for preventing collisions.

  • What high-risk driving behaviors are common in my team?
  • Who are my highest and lowest performing drivers?
  • What are the most important incidents that I need to address?

Final Thoughts

With the right data available, companies can rebuke claims by understanding what leads to accidents and how they can decrease risk and improve safety outcomes.

It is imperative that businesses understand what steps need to be taken in order to exonerate their drivers before it’s too late; Driver•i is the only system that provides this level of detail and accuracy necessary for success– making it essential for any safety program. 

Take control of protecting your company now: learn more about how you can better prepare your fleet after a collision!

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