General Knowledge: Accident Procedures

11 questions in the bank cover this topic. Everything below is drawn from the sources those questions cite.

Sources: 49 CFR 380 Appendix A, 49 CFR 390.15, 49 CFR 390.5, 49 CFR 392.22

What you need to know

390.5 defines accident by outcome, not by fault or cost.

A fatality is the first of three triggers, alongside injury needing immediate treatment away from the scene, and disabling damage requiring a tow.

an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in: (i) A fatality;

49 CFR 390.5

390.5 turns on treatment away from the scene and immediately.

Someone treated at the roadside and released does not meet it; someone taken to hospital does.

Bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident

49 CFR 390.5

390.5 uses the tow test: if a vehicle has to be carried away rather than driven, the damage was disabling.

It is deliberately objective rather than a dollar figure. That is what makes it reportable.

One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.

49 CFR 390.5

390.5 excludes boarding and alighting from a stationary vehicle.

A passenger falling while getting off a parked bus is a serious matter but it is not a reportable accident under this definition. From a stationary vehicle.

The term accident does not include: (i) An occurrence involving only boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle

49 CFR 390.5

390.15(b) sets 3 years from the date of each accident.

The register must record at least the date, the city or town and state, and the other details the section lists. Measured from the accident date. None of the figures offered is the one the rule gives.

Motor carriers must maintain an accident register for 3 years after the date of each accident.

49 CFR 390.15

390.15(a)(2) requires reasonable assistance and truthful, complete answers, and 390.15(a)(1) requires records to be made available within the time the request specifies.

Responses must be true as well as complete.

Give an authorized representative all reasonable assistance in the investigation of any accident, including providing a full, true, and correct response to any question of the inquiry.

49 CFR 390.15

380 Appendix A Unit A1.5.5 puts self-assessment first.

You cannot help anyone, or judge anything accurately, until you know whether you are injured. Notifying authorities can be delegated; knowing your own state cannot. You may assign the notification to somebody else at the scene if you cannot do it yourself.

the requirement that the driver, if possible, assess his or her physical condition immediately after the crash and notify authorities or assign the task to other individuals at the crash scene

49 CFR 380 Appendix A

380 Appendix A Unit A1.5.5 lists all six.

Note 'in minor crashes' qualifies moving vehicles: a serious crash scene is evidence and may contain injured people who must not be moved. In full: protect the scene, get medical help, clear minor crashes off the road, engage your flashers, place warning devices and use an extinguisher if needed.

The training providers must teach driver-trainees how to protect the area; obtain emergency medical assistance; move on-road vehicles off the road in minor crashes so as to avoid subsequent crashes or injuries; engage flashers; place reflective triangles and other warning devices for stopped vehicles; and properly use a fire extinguisher, if necessary.

49 CFR 380 Appendix A

380 Appendix A Unit A1.5.5 limits this to minor crashes, and gives the reason: a vehicle left in a live lane causes the second crash.

In a serious crash the scene matters more and people may not be movable. Clearing the road prevents a second collision.

move on-road vehicles off the road in minor crashes so as to avoid subsequent crashes or injuries

49 CFR 380 Appendix A

380 Appendix A Unit A1.5.5 names post-crash drug and alcohol testing as required training.

The triggers and time limits are in 382.303: 8 hours for the alcohol citation window, 32 for controlled substances.

The training providers must instruct driver-trainees in post-crash testing requirements related to controlled substances and alcohol.

49 CFR 380 Appendix A

392.22(a) makes the flashers instant and the devices the thing that relieves them.

380 Appendix A Unit A1.5.5 teaches the same sequence as part of post-crash procedure, so the training and the regulation agree. Then the triangles take over the warning.

the driver of the stopped commercial motor vehicle shall immediately activate the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers and continue the flashing until the driver places the warning devices required by paragraph (b)

49 CFR 392.22

Check yourself

• What outcome makes an occurrence an 'accident' under the federal definition?

• What injury threshold makes an occurrence a federal 'accident'?

• What is the damage threshold that makes an accident reportable?

• Which occurrence is excluded from the federal definition of accident?

• How long must a carrier keep its accident register?

• What two things are required of a carrier during an accident investigation?

• What is your first task immediately after a crash?

• Which actions does the federal post-crash curriculum require you to be taught?

• When should vehicles be moved off the road after a crash?

• What testing obligation follows a qualifying crash?

• What must you do first after a crash leaves you on the roadway?

Answers are in the practice test for this topic.