When a driver is involved in a serious road incident, what they do and say in the minutes afterwards could prove crucial.
Legal specialists have warned that drivers can sometimes make apparently innocent comments at the roadside while shocked or trying to be helpful… without realising those comments could later form part of a criminal investigation.
Recent warnings from LMP Legal to Fleet News have also highlighted potential shortcomings in some fleets’ 24/7 roadside and emergency legal support. According to the article, operators sometimes only discover the limitations of their cover when it’s too late.
And with penalties for causing serious injury or death by driving becoming more severe in recent years, fleets need to think beyond simply having an accident reporting number available.
What Should Fleets Have In Place?
The aftermath of a collision can be stressful and confusing. Drivers therefore need a clear process to follow before an incident ever occurs.
That should include knowing:
- Who they need to contact
- What information they should collect
- How the incident should be reported internally
- What support is available
- Where to seek appropriate legal advice if required
- Exactly what any 24/7 roadside of legal assistance service provides
You can’t guarantee that an incident will never happen. But you can make sure your drivers aren’t working out what to do for the first time at the roadside.
At Driving Monitor, Accident Monitor helps fleets capture and manage accident information alongside wider driver and risk data, giving managers a clearer picture of incidents and emerging trends. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
