The accident playbook — the first 60 minutes

Why the first 60 minutes decide the claim

Insurance claims are won or lost at the scene. Not in the adjuster's office six weeks later. Everything you say, sign, admit, or fail to document in the first hour drives the entire outcome — including whether your insurer defends you at all.

The FMCSA-recorded accident register is also permanent. A single "preventable" DOT-reportable crash on your CSA score can double your renewal premium and lock you out of Amazon Relay for two years.

The order of operations — memorize this

Minute 0–5: Safety.

1. 1Turn on hazards, pull to shoulder if drivable, set out reflective triangles (3-triangle DOT rule: 10 ft, 100 ft, 200 ft behind the truck).
2. 2Check yourself for injury. Then check the other driver.
3. 3Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if a vehicle is undrivable, or if you're on an interstate. Always call 911 if the other driver won't exchange info.

Minute 5–15: Document. Before anything moves, before you talk to anyone:

• Photograph all vehicles from 4 corners each (16 photos minimum).
• Photograph license plates, VINs, damage close-ups, skid marks, debris field, and road conditions.
• Photograph the other driver's license, insurance card, and registration.
• Screenshot your ELD location and speed at time of incident.
• Take a wide shot showing lane positions and traffic signals.

Minute 15–30: The phone tree, in this order.

1. 1911 / police if not already called.
2. 2Your insurance agent's claims hotline (save this number in your phone under "CLAIMS — [Agent]" today, before any accident happens).
3. 3The broker on the load — they need to know cargo status. Do not say the words "I'm at fault" — just "there's been an incident, cargo is [secure / affected]."
4. 4Your factoring company if cargo is damaged (they may hold the invoice).
5. 5Your safety consultant or DQF administrator if you have one.

Minute 30–60: The police report.

• Answer factual questions only: what lane, what speed (per your ELD), what direction, what light color. Do not speculate on fault.
• Get the officer's name, badge number, and the report number before they leave.
• Ask when the report will be filed — usually 3–7 days.

The two mistakes that inflate claims

1. Admitting fault at the scene. Never say "I didn't see them," "I was going a little fast," or "I'm sorry." Even a sincere apology becomes evidence. Stick to: "I'm glad you're okay. Let's exchange info and let the officer handle it."

2. Signing anything the other party's insurer sends you. If a claims rep calls you the next day asking for a "quick statement" or a signed release — do not sign, do not record. Route them to your insurance agent. This includes their "medical release form" (never sign one — it's used to fish for pre-existing conditions).

Cargo damage — the freight claim

Cargo claims run separately from the auto claim. The shipper or broker files a written claim under the Carmack Amendment; you have 30 days to acknowledge and 120 days to resolve.

Your cargo-claim protocol:

1. 1Photograph every pallet, seal number, wrap condition, and box exterior before you unload.
2. 2Note damage on the BOL/POD in writing — get the receiver to sign it.
3. 3Send a signed damage notation to the broker within 24 hours.
4. 4Notify your cargo insurance carrier same day.
5. 5Keep the damaged freight secure — do NOT dispose of it (the insurer or broker may want to inspect or salvage it).

The accident register — the FMCSA requirement

Every carrier must maintain a written accident register for 3 years. For each DOT-reportable crash, record:

• Date, city, state
• Driver name
• Number of injuries and fatalities
• Whether hazmat was involved
• A copy of the police report

This register is inspected during your New Entrant Safety Audit and any compliance review. Missing it = automatic finding.

What a "preventable" designation costs you

Your insurer's adjuster classifies each crash as preventable or non-preventable based on FMCSA guidance. Preventable crashes stack on your CSA Crash Indicator BASIC and drive up renewal premiums 20–60%.

You can request a preventability review through FMCSA's DataQs system if you believe a crash was misclassified. It's free, takes 60–90 days, and if granted removes the crash from your public CSA score.

The claim timeline — realistic expectations

• Day 1–3: adjuster assigned, rental / substitute truck arranged if physical damage covered.
• Day 7–14: initial damage estimate, statement from you (recorded, with agent on the line).
• Day 14–45: repair authorization, cargo salvage decision.
• Day 45–180: subrogation (your insurer sues the at-fault party to recover), settlement negotiations.
• Renewal window (~day 300): the claim is now on your loss run and your renewal quote will reflect it.

The "loss run" — what future insurers see

A loss run is a report of every claim under your policy for the past 3–5 years. Every future insurer asks for it at quote time. One at-fault claim on a loss run raises renewal premiums 25–50%; two can price you out entirely.

Request your loss run once a year even if you have no claims — it verifies your record is clean.

Action items

• Save your agent's claims hotline in your phone under "CLAIMS"
• Print a laminated "accident scene checklist" for the glovebox (this lesson works)
• Buy a $30 emergency kit: reflective triangles, flashlight, first-aid, tire pressure gauge
• Create a Google Drive folder titled "Accident-[Date]-Template" ready to duplicate
• Set a calendar reminder to request loss runs every August

Next: Cutting premium at renewal — the year-2 playbook.