What to do, in order, when something goes wrong.
Check for injuries, call emergency services, and make the scene safe. Drivers should not argue fault or sign anything at the scene.
An accident is recordable when it involves a fatality, an injury that needs treatment away from the scene, or a vehicle towed away because of disabling damage (49 CFR 390.5). Recordable accidents go in the accident register.
After a qualifying accident, an alcohol test is due as soon as possible and ideally within 2 hours, and a drug test within 32 hours (49 CFR 382.303). If a test is late, the reason must be written down.
Photos, the other party's details, witnesses and the driver's own account, taken in a consistent order and kept with the report.
Decide whether it was preventable, coach the driver where it applies, and fix anything that is a pattern.
A numbered report, a history of who did what and when, and the flags the safety manager needs.
PillarFirst™ gives each incident a numbered report (for example WH-2026-001), keeps its history, and shows the safety team the recordable and post-accident test flags. The people who decide what to do are still yours.
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