CMV ACCIDENTS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Accidents

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 Associates. Thank You for attending!