Getting into a car accident is never a pleasant experience, but it can be especially stressful if you crash a company car that has been entrusted to you. Sadly, it happens a lot, with 1.59 million injury-causing crashes in 2020.
There were 283 million vehicles registered in 2022, but company cars are not as prevalent this side of the Atlantic, with take up of company cars sitting around 45% compared to 69-97% in Europe.
Company cars are often provided as a job perk or benefit, so damaging one through an accident can feel like you are violating your employer’s trust. However, staying calm and following the proper procedures after a crash can help minimize the problems caused by the incident. Here are some tips on what to do if you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident while driving your company vehicle.
Is Anyone Hurt?
First and foremost, make sure you and any passengers are unharmed. If anyone is injured, call emergency services right away. Do not worry about dealing with the car just yet – the health and safety of those involved is the top priority. Once you have been checked out and cleared by emergency responders, it’s time to start dealing with the accident itself.
Call the Cops
Notify the police so you can file an official report. Be sure to get the contact details and insurance information of the other driver as well. Even minor accidents should be reported, both for insurance reasons and to protect yourself from potential blame or liability later on. Cooperate fully with law enforcement and be honest about what happened.
Notify Your Workplace
Call your supervisor at work as soon as possible. Let them know exactly what transpired so they can file it with the company’s insurance provider. Admit fault if you believe you are responsible. Provide details like the time and location of the accident, damage to the vehicles, any injuries to yourself or others, and whether police were called. This information will be needed for the insurance claim.
Document the Damage
Take extensive photos documenting the damage to both vehicles and the accident scene. These will be useful for the insurance companies. Get the contact details of any witnesses who saw the crash, as they may need to give statements later. Move the company car to a safe place if it can still be driven.
Adhere to Your Employer’s Accident Protocols
Follow your employer’s accident procedures exactly. There may be special steps involving drug tests, written incident reports, etc. Cooperate fully with these. Save all documentation related to the accident. Say as little as possible about the crash to anyone outside of law enforcement, your employer, and the insurance companies so you do not accidentally admit legal liability.
Don’t Downplay the Accident
Avoid trying to downplay or hide the accident from your employer. Coming clean right away is always the best approach. In most cases, your company insurance will cover the damage, so the main inconvenience will be going without the work vehicle until it can be repaired or replaced. However, intentionally failing to report an accident can get you fired.
If you’re injured in a car accident, it’s always best to consult an experienced car accident lawyer, so your rights are protected at all times.
With the right approach, you can move past the accident quickly and get back to your normal routine.
