In the event of an accident, would your team know what to do?
An accident can leave those involved in shock, especially if they’re unsure how to proceed. As a leader, you want to make sure that your employees, members, and volunteers who get behind the wheel know what to do if something goes wrong. Having all the information as soon as possible can better help you identify next steps and reduce the risk of future incidents.
What makes an accident preventable?
Regardless of where the fault lies, accidents happen—but everyone can take steps to help prevent them. So, what is the difference between an accident that’s preventable and one that isn’t?
An accident is considered ‘preventable’ if the driver failed to take every reasonable precaution to avert it. A driver could’ve been obeying the traffic laws and still have a preventable accident. An accident is considered ‘non-preventable’ if the driver took every reasonable precaution to avoid the accident, but it still occurred.
The National Safety Council estimated that 44,680 people died in preventable traffic crashes in the US in 2024. Remind your drivers to always follow traffic laws and stay aware of road conditions. Adhering to posted signage, maintaining space between vehicles, and using caution during inclement weather are all ways to help avoid a preventable accident.
For more tips on avoiding preventable accidents, download our bulletin.
The more information you have, the better you can determine your next steps.
Before getting behind the wheel, do your drivers know what to do if there’s an accident? Do they know where to find an accident report form and how to complete it?
When an accident happens, your team members should:
- Stop immediately and avoid obstructing traffic if possible. Put out emergency reflectors. Warn oncoming traffic unless personal safety is jeopardized.
- Notify Management and advise of injuries.
- Management should:
- notify police
- notify medical aid to respond
3. Aid the injured.
4. Obtain name and address of investigating police officer and badge number.
5. Obtain facts about damage to their vehicle.
6. Obtain facts about damage to other vehicle(s) and/or property damage.
7. Obtain witness contact information.
8. Describe facts about injured person(s).
9. Describe the accident in the accident report.
10. Refrain from admitting liability or agreeing to pay for damages.
11. Avoid discussing the accident except with police or management representatives.
Provide your team with the right resources. Download this FREE vehicle accident report.
Want to learn more?
We understand that accidents happen, and the moments following them are crucial. That’s why, at Glatfelter Insurance Group, we work hard to provide community-focused organizations like yours with quality insurance solutions and strive to continue to help you serve your team members and community. Learn more about how we can help you in the moments that matter.
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