Vehicle Accident Procedures

Purpose

Establish the procedure for Spartan Plumbing employees involved in a vehicle accident while operating a company vehicle.

Any collision involving a Spartan Plumbing vehicle, regardless of severity
Damage to the vehicle from road debris, parking lot incidents, or backing accidents
Any incident involving property damage to others (fences, mailboxes, parked cars)

Check for injuries — call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the accident blocks traffic

Move the vehicle to safety if possible and it is safe to do so

Turn on hazard lights

Do NOT leave the scene of an accident — this is a criminal offense in Ohio

Take photos of all vehicles involved from multiple angles

Photo the damage close up and from a distance showing both vehicles' positions

Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company, and policy number

Get their license plate number and driver's license number

Note the location, time, weather conditions, and what happened

If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers

Get the police report number if officers respond

Call your supervisor immediately from the scene

Do NOT discuss fault or admit liability — say only "I need to report this to my company"

Be cooperative with police but do not speculate about whose fault it was

Do NOT post about the accident on social media

The office will file the insurance claim — provide them with all documentation

If the vehicle is drivable, continue to the shop or your next assignment as directed by your supervisor

If not drivable, your supervisor will arrange towing and alternative transportation

Complete a written accident report within 24 hours (get the form from the office)

If you are injured, follow the On-the-Job Injury Response SOP for workers' comp

Even a minor scratch or dent must be reported — do not hide damage

Parking lot door dings from your carelessness are your responsibility to report

If you damage a customer's property (mailbox, fence, driveway), stop, take photos, inform the customer, and call your supervisor

Failure to report a vehicle accident is a terminable offense
Spartan Plumbing carries commercial vehicle insurance — let the company handle claims
Repeated at-fault accidents may result in loss of company vehicle privileges
If your license is suspended or revoked for any reason, you must report it to the office immediately — you cannot drive a company vehicle without a valid license