Imagine you own a small business. And then one of your delivery drivers gets into a bad car accident while working. This can create complications for your business.
Accidents don’t just affect the driver. They can also negatively impact your company in lots of ways. But there are things you can do to get ready.
In this blog post, we will talk about ways to guard your business against the negative impacts of a car crash. We will look at the things you need to do right after an accident happens. Plus ideas to plan ahead of time. And why you may need a lawyer to help out.
Why Safeguarding Your Business Matters?
Crashes lead to surprise bills. It may be for car repairs, hospital visits for injured people, or even lawsuits if someone gets injured. Whatever the case, this will definitely negatively affect your bank account. And it can ruin your business’s name too.
For example, a scenario where customers get late orders because of a collision—that makes you look bad.
Therefore, making an accident plan now can help a lot later. This is because knowing what to do means you get problems fixed faster if something happens. And you can thus avoid bigger losses.
Get Ready Before an Accident Ever Happens
Planning ahead is so important to limit the loss from a crash.
Do these things to prepare your business:
Buy the Right Insurance
One big step is getting commercial auto insurance for all work vehicles.
Commercial policies are made just for businesses. They cover losses for damage, injuries, and other issues from driving. And since regular insurance won’t help with company accidents, you should always make sure your policy is correct.
Show Your Team Safe Driving
If your staff drives for deliveries or tasks, train them on safe habits. Hold regular safety talks on things like defensive driving. This will help your employees avoid collisions.
Cover topics like:
- Staying focused on the road
- Leaving enough distance between cars
- Obeying speed limits
Showing drivers how to stay safe means fewer accidents.
Write an Accident Plan
Also, make an accident policy for your business. Explain what your team should do after a crash while working. For example, tell them to:
- Call 911 if anyone got injured
- Phone the police to file a report
- Notify managers immediately
Having a clear plan means less confusion.
Track Car Maintenance
If your business has vehicles, upkeep is key. You should make sure cars are in good shape before driving. Schedule check-ups for brakes, tires, lights, and more. This is important because well-maintained vehicles drive safely. That keeps your team and company protected better.
Steps to Take
Follow this list after a car accident:
1. Check on Everyone
First, ensure all people involved are okay. If someone seems hurt even a little, call 911 for medical help right away. Be extra careful.
2. Phone the Police
No matter what happens, you need an official police report. This paper helps later with insurance or legal issues. Police will come to the crash scene and get the facts. They’ll write up what happened. Tell your driver to cooperate fully and give the correct details.
3. Gather Info at the Scene
Have your employee collect lots of info like:
- Names and phone numbers of everybody there, even witnesses
- Insurance and license details from other drivers
- Photos of damage, roads, cars, etc.
- License plate numbers plus car models of vehicles involved
Good records help show who did what later if there are arguments.
4. Notify Your Insurance
Call your insurance about the incident as soon as possible. Reporting it fast can speed up repairs and medical payments. Give them the police report and other details your employee gathered.
5. Document Everything
Keep all paper trails about the accident in one place like:
- Police report
- Photos
- Insurance numbers
- Medical and car repair bills
Staying organized helps provide info to insurance and lawyers if needed.
Managing Insurance and Fixes
After a crash, you’ll likely file an insurance claim and fix your vehicle. Here’s how to handle this smoothly:
Know What’s Covered
Read your commercial policy to see what it includes. Some plans cover car repairs. Others also handle medical payments or lost wages if your driver gets injured. Knowing the details prevents surprise costs later.
Use Approved Shops
Many insurers have favorite repair shops to use. Going to one can speed up fixes. And ensures work meets insurance standards. Save all receipts and paperwork from repairs.
Handling Medical Bills and Missed Work
If your driver has injuries, you may owe hospital bills or their missed income. Check if your policy has workers’ compensation for on-the-job accidents. This pays for medical care and lost wages while they recover.
Tell your employee to get full treatment and save medical records and billing. Having proof of injuries matters if you get sued for damages.
Knowing When to Call a Lawyer
Crashes sometimes end up in legal issues. Especially if people argue over blame or there are big injuries. Knowing when to hire a lawyer helps avoid larger lawsuits against your business later.
Consider legal help if:
- The other driver’s insurance denies blame
- Major damage or injuries happened
- Anyone disputes who caused the wreck
- Bills are piling up fast
And so, if let’s say an accident happens in Texas, the first thing you should do is call a trusted auto accident lawyer in Houston. Doing so early on will allow them to guide you through the process from the start. They can manage your insurance claims and represent you if you get sued.
Getting a lawyer early often prevents expensive mistakes. Therefore, even just asking for their advice is wise. And if you’re unsure, it never hurts to talk to one.
Limiting Business Disruptions
A crash can slow work, delay orders, and hurt productivity. Here’s how to minimize these problems:
Rent a Temporary Car
If the damaged vehicle is important for tasks, rent one while yours gets fixed. Many policies cover rental cars. Check with your insurer to see if you qualify.
Update Customers
If delays happen, be honest with clients. Explain the collision, apologize for the slow service, and offer new delivery estimates. Most people understand accidents cause issues.
Support Your Employee
If your driver has injuries, offer help as they recover. Check in often and suggest taking enough time to heal fully. Rushing back to work too fast can make injuries worse. And that gets more expensive over time.
Learning Lessons from the Incident
Once the dust settles, review what went well and what needs work. Learning from experience reduces future accidents.
Review Safety Rules
Look at your safety policies again. Could you offer more driver training or better car maintenance? Small tweaks might make a big difference.
Check Insurance Needs
After an accident, reconsider your coverage. Sometimes extras like collision or uninsured motorist plans add useful protection.
Write Down Takeaways
Record notes on your experience handling the crash. How did insurance help or not? What steps worked well? Documenting these lessons helps if you ever face another accident.
To Wrap Up
Managing a car accident’s impact on your business is no fun. But smart planning makes it much easier to handle. Therefore, to get out unscathed, focus first on your team’s safety after a crash. Report details to insurance quickly. And know when legal help is worthwhile.
Following these tips will prepare your company both before and after an accident. Being ready to respond means you will keep running smoothly no matter what comes your way.
