Employee Responsibilities in an Auto Accident in Pennsylvania
No one ever wants to be involved in an auto accident; and the thought of that accident happening to an employee driving a company vehicle makes the occasional on-the-clock fender bender a heart-sinking experience for employee and employer alike. Employers can ease some of that worry by ensuring that they have sufficient business auto insurance to cover their fleet and employees. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires minimum coverage, but more is always better.
With more people than ever driving on Pennsylvania roads each year, the chances of being involved in an auto accident are high. There were more than 121,000 accidents in 2009 alone.
If you are an employee who has been involved in an accident, you have responsibilities to both cooperate with authorities and to keep your employer informed of what has happened.
What to do in case of an accident:
- Stop the vehicle from rolling and, if still running, shut off the engine.
- Determine whether you, or any passenger with you, are injured.
- If uninjured and safe to exit the vehicle, do so, but remain in the vicinity so that you may meet law enforcement officials. Under Pennsylvania law, persons leaving the scene of an accident are subject to penalties up to a fine of $2,500 or imprisonment for up to one year.
- If injuries are present or if the accident occurs on a busy highway/freeway, remain in the vehicle and wait for first responders to arrive.
- If you have a cellular phone, call the E-911 service and report the accident.
- Next, call your employer and inform them of the accident and follow all reasonable instructions they give you.
- Your employer will have all the necessary information on the company’s business auto insurance policy which should be in the vehicle. If possible, locate it and have it available for authorities.
- Responding law enforcement officials will provide you with a Driver’s Accident Report (DAR), Form aa-600. Under Pennsylvania law, every driver involved in an auto accident, must complete a DAR; however, a driver is not required to fill out the form at the accident scene as you have five days to file it with the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. It is often best to allow yourself to calm down before filling out this binding legal document.
- Whether you feel you are injured or not, it is advisable to accept medical attention up to and including transport to the hospital to be checked by a physician.
Of course, it is always best to avoid being in an accident in the first place. Be proactive by following all local laws, posted speed limits and remain alert behind the wheel. Doing these simple things can do more to prevent an accident than anything else.
Employers have the responsibility under Pennsylvania law to obtain a business auto insurance policy regardless of how many vehicles are in their fleet.
Employers should also:
- Ensure that any employee driving a company vehicle is properly licensed to do so.
- Check frequently for updates in auto insurance policy requirements.
- Work with a professionally trained and licensed insurance specialist to tailor a business auto insurance policy for the company’s needs.