Running a transport business comes with many responsibilities. Not only do you need to ensure that your vehicles are well-maintained and your drivers licensed, but you must also be aware of the legal implications when it comes to road accidents.
Here are seven essential tips for transport businesses to follow to protect themselves against potential legal claims arising from road accidents – insurance coverage, driver training, accident reporting procedures, and more.
1. Hire Legal Representation
After a major accident involving one of your vehicles, you will need to consult an experienced lawyer. This is because many accidents involve complicated legal issues that require specialized knowledge. Having a qualified attorney on your side will help ensure that all necessary steps are taken and that the outcome is in your favor. The professionals at Angel Reyes and Associates can provide you with legal assistance and advice throughout the process. And, with an attorney’s extensive experience in the transport industry, you can be sure that they will have your best interests in mind.
2. Maintain Insurance Coverage
This is to protect yourself against any potential liability resulting from an accident involving one of your vehicles. Make sure that you have sufficient coverage for both property damage and bodily injury, as well as other types of compensation such as lost wages or medical bills. Additionally, make sure to review your policy regularly to ensure that it remains up-to-date with current laws and regulations. They also recommend that you contact a qualified insurance broker to review your policy and suggest possible changes.
3. Hire Professional Drivers
The quality of your drivers can have a major impact on the safety of your vehicles as well as a potential liability in the event of an accident. Therefore, it is important to hire professional drivers who are knowledgeable and experienced. They are also required to possess a valid driver’s license and pass any relevant safety tests. In addition, you should also provide your drivers with ongoing training on how to handle different situations on the road. Then, you can monitor their performance and provide feedback to ensure that they are following all safety procedures.
4. Install Safety Features
Another way to reduce the risk of accidents is to install safety features in your vehicles. These include things like anti-lock brakes, airbags, seat belt reminders, and rearview cameras. Having these features installed will help protect your drivers and passengers in the event of a collision. Additionally, you can install GPS tracking systems so that you can monitor your vehicles at all times. This way, if an accident occurs while one of your vehicles is being driven, you will be able to locate it quickly and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
5. Establish Accident Reporting Procedures
This includes documenting the details of the accident, such as who was involved and what happened. It must also include a procedure for filing an insurance claim and getting contact information from any witnesses. Additionally, you should provide your drivers with a list of steps they should follow in the event of an accident. This will help ensure that all necessary steps are taken and that the claim is processed as quickly as possible.
6. Monitor Driving Habits
You should monitor your drivers’ driving habits to ensure they are following all safety procedures. This can be done by installing GPS tracking systems or cameras inside the vehicles to track their speed, routes taken, and other driving habits. You can also run regular background checks on your drivers to confirm that they are still qualified to drive your vehicles. And, you should also conduct regular reviews of your drivers’ records to make sure they are following all relevant laws. This will help you identify any potential risks before they become an issue.
Finally, you should provide ongoing training so that all of your team understands how to respond appropriately in the event of an accident.
7. Regularly Inspect
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of accidents is to make sure that your vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained. You should check all safety features, such as brakes, lights, tires, and mirrors. Additionally, you should have a system in place for monitoring the condition of your vehicles and scheduling regular maintenance. This will help ensure that any potential issues are addressed before they become an issue on the road.
From implementing safety features in your vehicles to monitoring driver habits and hiring professional drivers, these measures will help protect your drivers and passengers while on the road. Additionally, having established accident reporting procedures and regularly inspecting and maintaining your vehicles will ensure that any potential risks are identified quickly and handled appropriately. By taking these steps now, you can help reduce the chances of a serious collision occurring in the future.
