What is a DOT recordable accident? What is considered a reportable injury according to DOT rules?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many forms, regulations, and rules for a CDL driver after they\u2019ve been in a \u201creportable\u201d accident. We\u2019ll cover what counts as a DOT reportable accident, what information you must include in your report, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In order to protect yourself you will want to learn more about DOT recordable accidents. Important takeaways about DOT recordable accidents include:<\/p>\n The Department of Transportation<\/a> (also known as DOT) serves the U.S. and exists to enhance the safety and efficiency of roads around the country. Individual traffic violations come with penalties, but most states (including Arizona) have a point system to track problematic drivers. If you violate a law while on the road, for instance, you\u2019ll get points on your record for it. If you get a certain number of points on your record, you might suffer consequences such as a suspended license.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The FMCSA<\/a> (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a similar system in place for tracking the safety records of commercial drivers, also known as motor carriers. This system is used to ensure that the CDL drivers on the road are fit to be fulfilling their duties.<\/p>\n Since most commercial drivers operate both within Arizona and in other states while they work, the federal government has jurisdiction when it comes to this tracking system. FMCSA officials use various rating factors to determine each motor carrier\u2019s SFD<\/a> (Safety Fitness Determination), including hours-of-service compliance, impaired vehicle violations, and DOT recordable accidents.<\/p>\n Although every accident can have an impact on your personal life conditions, DOT recordable accidents can also impact your professional life. Carriers must record and hold onto records of a wreck for the 3-year period preceding the incident. This includes accident reports, the accident register, and any other documents that the state of Arizona or other government bodies require.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re at fault or not, you have to report DOT recordable incidents. The following incidents are DOT recordable:<\/p>\n The Department of Transportation uses data from your previous three years of driving to determine how many accidents have occurred per million miles driven. You\u2019ll be rated based on this and might face extra scrutiny and consequences if you surpass a certain level.<\/p>\n When you report a DOT recordable accident, you must include the following information:<\/p>\n You must make this information available to an authorized enforcement agency worker, FMCSA agent, or legally authorized third-party entity. The rules require you, as the carrier, to assist with investigation of your records, if necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Department of Transportation determines your accident frequency by assigning a number to your safety rating, which is used in the event of an audit. The DOT determines this number by multiplying your DOT reportable incidents by a million and dividing that amount by miles you\u2019ve driven over the past year. If you have a rate that\u2019s higher than 1.5 DOT recordable accidents per million driven miles, you\u2019ll get points added to your safety rating and an \u201cunsatisfactory\u201d label for your SFD.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve only had a single DOT recordable accident within the past 12 months, you don\u2019t qualify for this calculation because of the small number.<\/p>\n Drivers with an overall \u201cunsatisfactory\u201d Safety Fitness Determination will receive restrictions and sanctions as a result of their record. These consequences may include being barred from transporting over 15 passengers or hazardous materials on the road. You may receive notice of a \u201cconditional<\/a>\u201d pending safety rating, and you have 45 days to make corrective steps before this rating becomes official.<\/p>\n If you have any procedural or factual disputes regarding how your safety rating was calculated, you may petition to have them reviewed. Make sure to ask your company or the Department of Transportation for more information on this process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that, in most cases, you\u2019ll have to submit a drug and alcohol test following a DOT recordable accident. If your accident involved a fatality, you (as the carrier) received a citation, the accident required at least one of the vehicles to be towed due to damage from the event, or someone involved in the wreck sustained a bodily injury<\/a>, you\u2019ll have to submit a test. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You must complete alcohol testing within two hours of your DOT recordable accident. If this isn\u2019t possible, you must take a test within eight hours. If you cannot submit a test within these amounts of time, document the reason why.<\/p>\n You must complete a drug test within 32 hours of the DOT recordable accident. As with the alcohol testing, you must document why you couldn\u2019t complete the test, if you are unable to.<\/p>\n Failing to complete and file the necessary forms after a DOT recordable accident may lead to a CDL license suspension. This is why it\u2019s so important for companies and drivers to know about reporting rules on this topic. Even after reading about the rules, you may still have some unanswered questions or need some help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With your future at stake, it\u2019s crucial to make sure you follow the law on DOT recordable accidents. If you have any concerns related to a particular accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer<\/a> as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n
The Department of Transportation\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
The Safety Fitness Determination<\/h4>\n
A Closer Look at DOT Recordable Events<\/h4>\n
Which Accidents Count as DOT Recordable?<\/h4>\n
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What Information do You Need to Include?<\/h4>\n
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How is DOT Recordable Accident Info Used?<\/h4>\n
What Happens to Carriers with an \u201cUnsatisfactory\u201d SFD?<\/h4>\n
What if You Have Disputes?<\/h4>\n
Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug Testing<\/h4>\n
Alcohol Testing<\/h4>\n
Drug Testing<\/h4>\n
Speak with a Lawyer for Help with DOT Recordable Events<\/h4>\n