5 Costly Mistakes After a Business Vehicle Crash

When your business relies on company vehicles, the last thing you want to deal with is an accident. But even when your drivers are dutiful behind the wheel, crashes can happen. You’ll be dealing with an aftermath that can include injuries, missed work days, and complicated insurance claims that leave you rattled.

Plan on taking action quickly to avoid hurting your business. Stay with us as we explore five costly mistakes that businesses make after an accident, and what you should do instead.

1. Apologizing and Accepting Blame

Your business’s drivers may feel compelled to accept blame after an accident. They might try to be overly polite to help diffuse heated emotions. But that generosity can backfire and cause your business to look like the guilty party.

Tell your drivers not to offer any apologies or say anything beyond the basic facts. If they overstate their involvement, those statements could find their way into reports and other documents used as evidence. They shouldn’t speculate about their actions or road safety.

After an accident, your driver should seek medical care and check on others involved. They should work with the police and exchange essential information with other parties. But they shouldn’t say anything that could incriminate them. 

2. Failing to Consult an Attorney

It’s critical to seek legal help right away after an accident, but not all businesses do this. Failing to reach out to a seasoned attorney can lead to missed deadlines or poorly constructed report submissions. And that can weaken your case when you can’t afford to take a financial hit.

Instead, plan on partnering with an attorney quickly to get guidance. They’ll know how to navigate proceedings, handle communication, and advocate on your behalf. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, guidance from truck accident lawyers by Silverthorne Attorneys can help businesses navigate liability, insurance disputes, and regulatory issues after a commercial crash.

3. Allowing Drivers to Interact with Insurance Agents

You can expect to hear from insurance adjusters right after an accident. But don’t let anyone, including your driver, talk with them. It’s too easy to make statements that can lead to lower coverage or higher liability exposure. 

Make sure your drivers know they shouldn’t be the ones giving statements about the accident. Instead, instruct them to direct all calls to your management team. From there, you should have legal representation ready to communicate clearly and carefully about the details. 

4. Ignoring the Data

Many modern vehicles will have GPS data and sensors that can capture important information about what happened in the moments leading up to the accident. Similarly, dashcam footage can offer a more objective perspective of the events contributing to the crash.

Unfortunately, most of this data is overwritten, sometimes even within a few days. Don’t ignore its value. Instead, focus on data preservation and collect several copies of the data. 

Everything from the driver’s braking habits to speed can be part of this information. You’ll be able to paint a better picture of what happened when you can use this data in conjunction with witness insights.

5. Overlooking Reporting Needs

When your business uses commercial vehicles to transport goods, you can’t ignore external and internal reporting requirements. Without clear reports, you could face fines. And you’ll definitely hurt the strength of your insurance claim. 

Make sure all management team members understand what reporting requirements look like. And go above and beyond when it comes to gathering evidence for your records. 

Preparing for a Business Vehicle Crash

Vehicle crashes can be an unfortunate part of doing business. But you don’t have to let them become an unshakable burden. Gather evidence, copy dashcam footage, and ensure your employees don’t make misleading statements. Seek legal help and be aware of all filing deadlines.

When you’re prepared for difficult scenarios, you can navigate them more effectively and keep your business on the road to success.