Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. When it happens while you’re driving a company vehicle, it adds another layer of complexity.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were over 6 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2021. If you find yourself in an accident while operating your employer’s or a company car, following these steps can help minimize problems down the road.
Steps after a car accident in a company vehicle
Stop and Check for Injuries
First of all, you want to ensure everyone involved in the accident is uninjured. If there are any injuries, call 911 immediately. Even if the injuries seem minor, having medical personnel check everyone over at the scene provides documentation should issues arise later.
Contact the Police
You’ll want to get law enforcement to the scene of the accident right away. Having a police report filed provides official documentation of what transpired. Be sure to get the responding officer’s name, badge number, and a copy of the report for your records.
Exchange Information
Collect contact and insurance information from the other driver(s) involved. Get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company and policy number. Also, provide them with your personal contact information and insurance details. Having this information available can facilitate the claims process.
Document the Scene
Take photos of any property damage and conditions at the scene that may be relevant to how the accident occurred. Capture images showing the position of the vehicles, weather and road conditions, traffic signs or signals, and any other details that could impact liability. According to the DOV, over 400,000 people are injured in weather-related car accidents each year.
Notify Your Employer
Let your manager or supervisor know about the accident as soon as possible. There may be special procedures they need to follow, forms to complete, or insurance representatives to contact. Provide details of the incident and any police report or documentation.
Get Your Vehicle Checked Out
Even if the damage appears minor, have a mechanic inspect your employer’s vehicle. Unidentified issues could worsen and end up costing more to fix later on. Have any needed repairs completed and keep receipts for reimbursement. Your employer may need to provide the repair estimate to their insurance company.
Consider Hiring a Lawyer
According to James D. Payer, a local car accident lawyer in Orlando, depending on the accident’s severity and who was at fault, you can consult legal help from an attorney. They can help protect your rights during the claims process. If the other driver is found responsible, they may be liable for your medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs.
Learn from the Experience
While not all accidents can be avoided, examine if anything could have been done differently to prevent this one. Could you have been less distracted, kept more distance, slowed down due to weather conditions, or noticed another driver’s erratic behavior?
For example, distracted driving accounts for nearly 9% of all fatal accidents in the US. Identify areas where you can improve your own driving to stay safer in the future.
Final words…
Driving a company vehicle comes with increased responsibility. Following these steps after an accident can help minimize negative impacts on you and your employer.
Being prepared and proactive makes navigating the aftermath easier. Most importantly, making safety your top priority each time you get behind the wheel can help avoid accidents altogether.
