Accident Claims Management
FMCSA requires every carrier to maintain an accident register under 49 CFR 390.15 for three years — but the moments right after an accident, well before that paperwork, are what actually determine how the claim goes.
From the first call after an accident, we walk you through the right immediate steps and manage the claim with your carrier through to resolution.
The mistakes most commonly made in the first hours after an accident — the ones that can jeopardize the whole claim — don't happen.
- 01Provide immediate guidance on post-accident steps, including documentation and notifications.
- 02File the claim with your insurance carrier.
- 03Track claim status and respond to information requests.
- 04Follow the claim through to settlement.
What the accident register actually requires
Under 49 CFR 390.15, carriers must maintain a register of accidents for three years, recording date, city/state, driver name, number of injuries and fatalities, and whether hazardous materials (other than fuel) were released — plus copies of any state or insurer accident reports. A qualifying 'accident' under 390.5 means a fatality, an injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene, or disabling damage requiring a tow. Separately, 49 CFR 382.303 requires post-accident testing when there's a fatality or a citation issued — an alcohol test within 8 hours and a drug test within 32 hours.
Why the first hours shape the outcome
Photos not taken, witness information not collected, or notification delays to the insurer are common early mistakes that can weaken a claim well before the formal filing even starts — the claim's strength is often set at the scene, not at the desk. Immediate, structured guidance in that window is what protects the carrier's position from the outset.