Title: Incident Response & Reporting Procedures
Type: Lesson
No matter how defensively you drive, accidents, breakdowns, and near-misses can still happen. The key is to respond calmly, safely, and by the book — so no one gets hurt and your company can follow up appropriately.
Stop immediately and turn on your hazard lights
Check yourself and others for injuries
If possible, move vehicles out of traffic
Call 911 if there are injuries or major damage
Do not admit fault or argue — stick to facts only
Notify your supervisor or safety manager
Document the scene:
Take photos
Exchange insurance & contact info
Complete your company’s incident report
Pull off the road safely
Use reflective triangles or flares if trained
Call your company contact or roadside assistance
Stay with your vehicle unless it’s unsafe to do so
Don’t attempt repairs unless you’re trained and authorized
A near-miss is an unplanned event that didn’t cause harm but could have. These must still be reported so patterns can be identified and future incidents prevented.
Examples:
Swerving to avoid a collision
Forgetting to check a blind spot
Backing up and nearly hitting an object
Helps identify trends and risk factors
Enables retraining or vehicle repairs
Protects the company legally
Shows your commitment to safety
Failure to report an incident may result in disciplinary action and increased risk for others.
Defensive driving doesn’t end when something goes wrong — how you respond after an incident is just as important for your safety and others’.
Click “Mark Complete” to unlock the Final Assessment, where you’ll demonstrate everything you’ve learned in this course.