Get the DOT number!

[TeamCaffee]

We had a big truck back into our sleeper door while at the Flying J in Laredo TX. We thought we where lucky as the guy gave us all of his information including insurance. We thought no problem we will contact insurance and all is well. Wrong! The insurance company does not carry them anymore and no one will answer the phone. Well after talking to a friend who he suggested we go to http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/safestat/safestatmain.asp and look up the DOT number. That gave us a lot of information about the company including mailing address and also a email address. We can now at least try to collect using this route. So always get the DOT number along with all other information.

 

[Crazynuff]

Safersys.org gives the name of a company's insurance carrier along with other info . Always try to get a witness . An England driver backed into my truck , moved a few parking places and denied doing it . I had a witness and police found paint chips from my fender on his trailer bumper . When I called England's safety department the first thing they told me was they wouldn't pay if I didn't have a witness . They paid pretty promptly after I faxed the police report .

 

[Jack_Berry]

keep the digital camera available. get pix of his damage and yours.



Jack Berry

 

[Broompilot]

Better yet. Always, always, call the Police. I failed to do this when I was hit lucky insurance company everything OK. But if not I later found out you are just S.O.L.

So always contact the authorities to file the report. You gotta cover your rear end.....

 

[GittinThere]

The Bad thing is, Police will not always come onto private property and write a report. As a matter of fact, we have heard through the years, that they will rarely make a report between 2 trucks on private truck stop property. Hope everything works out good with your claim, Bob and Linda.

Mr.&Mrs.GittinThere
FedEx CC O/O D6758
OOIDA #788426

That's Us, We're Gittin There!====>

 

[Crazynuff]

I've been told some courts won't accept photos from a digital camera because they could be altered by s computer . In that case I'd keep them in the camera or save the memory card . I really did appreciate the work of the officers in Upper Sandusky , OH . Two of them came on the lot and took several pictures including several with measuring tapes showing the height of dents on my truck and matching marks on the other truck .

 

[TeamCaffee]

We will see what happens. The insurance card and number the driver gave us no longer carries that company. The phone number he gave us goes un answered. We did not call the police as it was on private property and thought that was the correct procedure. We did immediately call dispatch and let them know that the freight was ok! Another driver saw it all happen and he came over with his name and phone number so there is a witness. We took several digital pictures of the sleeper door. We have had the door replaced at the sleeper manufacturer. I will have to say AA Sleeper in Fort Worth really did a nice fast job of replacing our door and getting us back on the road. I got their address and email address of the web site so am sending them a letter and email with the cost of the door. If they wont pay for it at least we can deduct it.

 

[Broompilot]

Now I am not an expert here. But I have a hard believing that the Police would not appear if called. The digital camera thing I do know is acceptable in court as you said left in the camera as well. But to falsify a photo for something as minor as a parking lot smack come on, common sense a judge is gona see.

Now you got everyone showing up in neck braces etc.. for a rear end collision asking for millions than yeah your gona need hard proof but not in a parking lot.

 

[cheri1122]

I was told the same thing when I called the Cleveland Police a few years ago, after being broadsided in my car: the police will not come to the scene, unless there are injuries, or a disabled vehicle. I was told to exchange info with the other driver, get pictures and witness info, if possible, and report it to my insurance agent, but there would be no police report. There aren't enough officers to deal with every minor fenderbender.
I would still call, because the rules may be different in different places.

 

[raceman]

BP, it is very true the Police do not come onto a truck stop lot to aid in an accident between trucks. When I was a Fleet Owner one of my trucks was hit in Jersey in a lot by a CRST truck. Police would not help on that property

Raceman
Dedicated O/O
OOIDA 741748

 

[jaminjim]

It just depends, I have seen several times where the police have showed up in truck stops and done paper work.

 

[jaminjim]

I would call them and let them decide weather or not they will show up. then if they won't just get there name and number so that you can respond with "yes we called and spoke with ----- "and they said they won't come out.

 

[BigBuzd1]

They showed up for me when my 1 week old truck was backed into on the lot of the Carterville, GA TA. They were there...did the paperwork, filed the report and everything. This was just June '06

 

[bigjoep89]

Concrete truck driver 15 years
Concrete sales mgr, 13 years.
Expediter 2 years.
FECC

It never hurts to make the call. If you call the local city police and they refuse call the Sheriff office they will usually accommodate as the Sheriffs is a elected official and always wants to look good. Good luck.
God bless our Military and Vets.

 

[JohnMueller]

Bob, Linda and others posters;

Correct accident reporting is vital to protect YOUR interests and your carrier's interests in the event of any accident or incident. These steps were most likely covered in your orientation. A good reminder follows:

*Secure the scene - protect it from other accidents from occurring.
*Notify the authorities (document the call - time, who you spoke with, etc..)
*Notify your dispatch. Ask them to notify the Safety Director within your organization
*Stay at the accident scene. DO NOT DISCUSS THE ACCIDENT WITH ANYOE OTHER THAN A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR DOT OFFICER. NEVER ADMIT GUILT.
*Exchange vital information with the other party. Obtain signed Exoneration Cards if other party admits guilt.
*Obtain info on obtaining the actual accident report from the responding officer.
*Photograph the accident scene. Photograph vehicles, skid marks, traffic control devices or other points of reference and pictures of the environment.
*Fully complete the accident packet/kit (usually with the disposable camera).
*Call your insurance companies immediately. Chances are there two companies - the carrier's (for primary and cargo) and yours which would handle the physical damage and/or NTL.
*Submit to your carrier's safety department the completed accident documentation and camera (if disposable).

Hope this was helpful.

Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter

 

[Broompilot]

The reason I say what I did (hard time believing) is I saw two spots down from once this happen. When the Police showed up, one of the drivers was put in cuffs and taken away.

Why? Your guess is as good as mine.