Transport Insights

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 160,993 crashes involving large trucks and buses were reported during calendar year 2025. While this represents a decline from the 172,339 crashes reported in 2024, large truck and bus crashes continue to result in thousands of fatalities and injuries each year, highlighting the importance of effective accident prevention and post-accident management programs.

One of the most important components of any successful motor carrier operation is having a good accident prevention program. Equally important is having an effective post-accident management program. As a safety professional or driver, it’s important to know the proper steps to take when you or one of your company’s vehicles is involved in a crash. If the vehicle involved is a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the regulatory requirements can be challenging to navigate.

Knowing what actions to take immediately following a vehicle crash is one of the keys to minimizing risk exposure and maintaining compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

Stop at the Scene and Report the Crash

When you are involved in a vehicle crash, you must remain at the scene and report the incident. If you are injured or if there are injuries to other parties involved, call 911 immediately. Once you are safe, and if possible, move your vehicle from the roadway onto the shoulder to remove it from travel lanes. Turn on your hazard flashers and place reflective triangles or cones to improve visibility for approaching motorists.

Once a law enforcement officer arrives, remain calm and follow their instructions. As the investigation continues, a well-equipped accident kit can help guide you through the process. A good accident kit should contain, at a minimum, step-by-step reporting instructions, a camera, driver accident report forms, pens, witness statement forms, and a post-accident drug and alcohol testing decision tree.

Exchange Information with Other Parties Involved

Document all identifying features of the other vehicle(s) involved. This documentation should include the make, model, license plate number, model year, color, and any other distinguishing features. If the crash involves another CMV, document any identifying markings on that vehicle, including:

• Company name
• Company logo
• DOT number
• Any other identifying markings

If the crash involves a tractor-trailer combination, document identifying markings on both the tractor and the trailer. It is extremely important that you exchange information with the other parties before leaving the scene. Once all parties have left, it can be difficult to obtain additional information if needed.

Information exchanged with other parties should include:

• Name, address, email address, and phone number of other drivers involved
• Insurance company and policy number of other drivers involved
• Driver’s license number of other drivers involved
• Company name and contact information (if another CMV is involved)
• Name, address, email address, and phone number of witnesses

If any party refuses to exchange information, do not become confrontational. Wait for law enforcement assistance.

Document the Crash Scene

Using a camera from your accident kit or a mobile phone, document the crash scene with photos and/or video. Take photographs from multiple angles and distances to capture the entire scene. If possible, place an object in photos to provide scale.

When photographing vehicles, obtain both distant and close-up photos of damage. Photograph all four sides of each vehicle involved, even if damage is not visible on every side. Take photos of interior damage, including shattered glass and deployed airbags.

Document any property damage resulting from the crash, including fences, buildings, utility poles, traffic control devices, or landscaping. Also look for conditions that may have contributed to the crash, such as damaged roadways, construction zones, defective traffic control devices, or roadway debris.

Post-Accident Drug Testing

The FMCSRs contain strict requirements regarding post-accident alcohol and controlled substances testing involving CMVs.

In addition to testing requirements, the regulations require proper documentation. Under 49 CFR 382.303, three types of CMV crashes require alcohol and drug testing:

1. A human fatality.
2. Bodily injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene, and the driver receives a citation for a moving violation arising from the crash.
3. One or more vehicles incur disabling damage requiring towing from the scene, and the driver receives a citation for a moving violation arising from the crash.

Alcohol tests: If a required test is not administered within two hours following the crash, the employer must prepare and maintain documentation explaining why the test was not administered promptly. If a required alcohol test is not administered within eight hours, the employer must stop attempts to administer the test and maintain the required documentation. Records must be provided to FMCSA upon request.

Controlled substances tests: If a required controlled substances test is not administered within 32 hours following the crash, the employer must stop attempts to administer the test and maintain documentation explaining the delay. Records must be provided to FMCSA upon request.

In all required testing situations, employers must ensure that DOT-compliant testing procedures and chain-of-custody documentation are used and retained in accordance with federal requirements.

Accident Recordkeeping

Motor carriers must maintain an accident register for three years following each accident. The register must include:

• Date of the accident
• City or town, or the location nearest where the accident occurred, and the state where the accident occurred
• Driver name
• Number of injuries
• Number of fatalities
• Whether hazardous materials, other than fuel released from vehicle fuel tanks, were released

In addition, motor carriers must maintain copies of all accident reports required by states, governmental agencies, or insurers.

For accident register purposes, an accident is defined as:

An occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate or intrastate commerce in which one or more of the following occurred:

• A human fatality
• A vehicle was towed from the scene due to disabling damage
• An injury required immediate medical treatment away from the scene

Obtain the Police Report, Determine Preventability, and File DataQs if Applicable

As soon as practical following a crash, obtain a copy of the official police report. Depending on the jurisdiction, the report may be available online, by written request, or in person.

FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) allows motor carriers and drivers to request a review of eligible crashes through the DataQs system. Because the program has expanded over time and eligible crash categories may change, carriers should review current FMCSA guidance before submitting a Request for Data Review.

Examples of crash types that may qualify for review include:

• Struck in the rear or side by another motorist
• Parked or legally stopped
• Failure of the other vehicle to stop or yield
• Wrong direction or illegal maneuver by the other vehicle
• Animal strike
• Suicide or suicide attempt
• Under the influence by the other driver
• Medical issue involving the other driver
• Falling asleep by the other driver
• Distracted driving by the other driver
• Cargo, equipment, debris, or infrastructure failure
• Rare or unusual events
• Other FMCSA-designated crash types eligible for review

If FMCSA determines that a crash was not preventable, the crash remains visible in the carrier’s record with the determination noted, but it is excluded from the carrier’s Crash Indicator calculation in the Safety Measurement System (SMS).

Are You Ready?

In addition to the risk of injury and loss of life, a motor vehicle crash can significantly affect a company’s operations and financial performance. Out-of-service equipment, repair expenses, delayed deliveries, customer service challenges, and increased insurance costs are just a few of the potential consequences.

Having the training and knowledge to respond appropriately after a crash can help maintain compliance, minimize costs, and keep vehicles operating safely and efficiently.

Prepare fleet managers and drivers to respond to crashes quickly and accurately by providing practical training, clear reporting procedures, appropriate accident kits, and access to knowledgeable support.