DOT-recordable accident?

Scenario: In this scenario, a driver slid off an icy roadway and into a snowbank. There were no other vehicles involved, and the driver was not injured. A tow truck arrived and pulled the stranded tractor back onto the roadway. After the driver determined that there was only minimal damage to the front bumper, the driver continued and finished the dispatch. Is this accident recordable?

What would you do?

1. Record the accident since the driver was not able to return to the roadway.
2. Do not record the accident since there was not disabling damage.
3. I’m not sure, so I will record the accident to be safe.

Discussion: A DOT-recordable accident involves a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that results in either:

• A fatality,
• Personal injury to any person that requires immediate medical attention away from the scene of the accident, or
• Disabling damage to any vehicle that requires it to be towed from the scene.

If the tractor did not have to be towed due to “disabling damage” because of the accident, it would not be a DOT recordable accident. Disabling damage is defined as damage so severe that the vehicle cannot be driven away from the scene after “simple repairs.” The fact that the truck was able to drive away from the scene and proceed to the destination would serve as validation that it was not a DOT recordable accident.

The correct answers are in bold.

1. Record the accident since the driver was not able to return to the roadway. Since the vehicle did not sustain disabling damage, the accident should not be recorded.
2. Do not record the accident since there was not disabling damage. This is the correct answer.
3. I’m not sure, so I will record the accident to be safe. The vehicle did not sustain disabling damage. Do not add accidents to your registry unless they qualify as a DOT-recordable accidents.