Automobile Accident Reporting

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the timely reporting, proper handling, and investigation of all automobile accidents involving company owned vehicles or vehicles operated by contractors while on company business for VerTek, LLC.

Procedures

Driver’s Responsibilities at the Scene of the Accident
All automobile accidents regardless of fault shall be reported to VerTek LLC Human Resources. Immediately following a vehicle accident these procedures shall be followed by the individual operating the vehicle: 

• Take precautions necessary to protect yourself and the scene of the accident from other accidents.
  • Turn the emergency flashers on and use safety equipment available to alert oncoming traffic.
  • Call 911 and request that the police respond.
  • If someone is injured, request medical assistance.
  • If fire is involved, request fire department aid.
• Immediately contact your Project Manager and Supervisor.
• DO NOT DISCUSS THE ACCIDENT WITH ANYONE EXCEPT with the Police, Project Manager/Supervisor, Safety Department or Risk Department.
• DO NOT ADMIT FAULT/LIABILTY OR OFFER TO PAY FOR DAMAGES.
• Do not offer any opinions as to how the accident occurred. These could be used against you as an admission of liability.
• Take photographs of the scene, all vehicles and property damage utilizing the AXikit stored in the vehicle.
• Obtain facts about all property that was damaged.
• Do not move injured third parties unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not drive your vehicle until your Project Manager/Supervisor has approved it.
• Obtain name, badge number and address of investigating police officer.
• Obtain the police report or any paperwork the police provide at the scene.
• If the vehicle is towed from the scene obtain the contact information for the storage facility.
• If the driver is injured or is unable to perform any of the tasks listed above, the Supervisor responding to the scene shall perform the tasks above, whenever possible.

Reporting Automobile Accidents
Following an automobile accident the following procedures shall be followed: 

• The driver's manager is to be contacted immediately by the driver unless the driver sustains an injury resulting from the accident that prevents contact with the manager due to treatment or the urgent nature of the injury.
• The Manager will report to the scene to make sure the worker is receiving proper medical attention and the accident is properly investigated.
• If needed, the Manager or his designee will transport the injured worker to the company’s designated medical facility to receive appropriate medical attention. When the designated medical facility is closed or too far from the accident scene the employee should be taken to the nearest medical facility.
• The Manager shall immediately contact the Safety Department to report the incident, provide a status on the employee’s condition, if known, and provide a status on the investigation into the cause of the injury.
• The Manager shall interview the injured employee if the injury is not life threatening or urgent in nature as well as any witnesses of the incident.
• Photographs shall be taken of the scene and evidence collected that can be used to help determine the root cause of the incident in order to help prevent reoccurrence.
• The Manager shall document the incident and the results of the investigation that was conducted utilizing the most recent reporting documents as determined by the Safety and Risk Departments.

Workers that fail to immediately report a traffic accident to their immediate supervisor or in their absence another manager assigned to their facility are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
 

Drug Screening (Urine Analysis)
Following a worker-involved vehicle accident, the individual shall submit to a drug screen to determine whether or not the employee was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. The following procedures shall be followed:

• The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident shall complete a Urine Analysis (UA) screening immediately following the accident unless they are unable do to medical treatment.
• Upon release from medical treatment the employee shall immediately submit to screening.
• A Urine Analysis screening is required regardless of the severity or fault of the accident.
• A Urine Analysis screening is not required if the vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the accident.
• The “Post-Accident” check box on the Chain of Custody Form (COC) shall be check indicating that the reason for the analysis was the result of an employee injury.
• Facilities utilized for post accident screening are determined by the Risk Department. Local offices have been provided with the contact information for each facility.
• The Safety Team will review the accident report as soon as it is received and determine if it was an “at-fault” accident or a “not at-fault” accident.
• The individual can return to the field immediately if the accident is ruled not “at-fault.”
• For “at-fault” accidents the individual is to remain off work pending Post-Accident Urine Analysis results.
• When Post-Accident Urine Analysis results are positive the company Drug Policy will be followed.

Management Reporting to the Safety and Risk Departments
The Manager shall forward the required documentation associated with the incident to the Human Resources Department within 24 hours of the occurrence or first notification.

The documents required are determined by the Safety and Risk Departments and are subject to change or modification.