Five College Risk Management : Auto Accidents, Emergencies/Claims

Auto Accidents, Emergencies/Claims

If you are driving a college vehicle or a vehicle rented on college business and you have an accident that involves another vehicle, person or property:

At the Scene

Stop immediately!
Do NOT admit liability at the scene to anyone, even if you think you were "at-fault".
Take required precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene. (Place triangle reflectors, if available.)
Render all reasonable assistance to persons injured at the scene. Ask someone at the scene to call the local police, or call the local police yourself. Also, give the local police the name and number of Public Safety (24 hours/7 days a week), and ask them to call for assistance, if necessary, or call them yourself:
Amherst - 413.542.2291
Hampshire - 413.559.5424
Mount Holyoke - 413.538.2304
Smith - 413.585.2490
Use the accident report forms provided in the glove box (if available) and write down the name of the other driver(s), their address(es), phone numbers, insurance information and particulars about the accident. Get written statements from any witnesses (including passengers in your vehicle or the other vehicle(s), or get their name, address and phone numbers for later contact. Obtain license numbers and descriptions of vehicles at the scene. This will be especially helpful if outside witnesses won't assist you.
Exchange driver/insurance information with the other party(ies).
In case of a severe accident, call:
Deanna Bullock, Claims Manager
Fred C. Church Insurance
800.225.1865 x7242
to report the accident during regular business hours.

If the College owned or rented vehicle is broken into, hit by unknown vehicles (hit & run), or damaged while it was parked, you must report the loss to local police and get a copy of the local police report.

No Cell Phones While Driving

Reporting Accidents

The driver is responsible for reporting all accidents to the College. A reportable accident is any accident or incident with a College owned/leased or rented vehicle, which happens no matter where you are whether it occurs on or off campus, that results in:

Any damage to the College owned/leased or rented vehicle, whether the College may choose to repair it or not;
Damage to College or anyone else's property (e.g., vehicle, mailbox, post, etc);
Bodily injury to you or to anyone else.

All accidents must be reported on a vehicle crash report for the State in which you had the accident, within 24 hours or upon return of the vehicle to campus (owned or leased vehicles), whichever is sooner and sent to the "Key Auto Person" on your campus:

AC — Public Safety: Michael Abbatessa - 542.8172
HC — Business Office: Gerald Bohdanowicz - 559.5489
MHC — Risk Management: Carol Prior - 538.2344
SC —
- Physical Plant: Pam Kukucka - 585.2400 for all Fleet vehicles and college departments including Physical Plant, Dining Services, Public Safety, Athletics, Geology and Information Technology Services.
- Student Affairs: Sharon Fagan - 585.4950 for all SGA vehicles
- Voluntary Services: Tiertza-Leah Schwartz - 585.2758 for all SOS vehicles

Key people will inform the insurance company and send a copy of all reports to the Risk Management Office. Drivers may face disciplinary action for excessive delays or failure to report accidents.

Why this Report is Important

The information from this report is used for many purposes including:

Identifying locations on campus with a large number of crashes
Improving dangerous roads and intersections
Developing programs to reduce accidents and help avoid injuries.

Rented/Hired Vehicles

Report the accident to the rental company, and complete any required paper work. Keep copies of all reports and, as soon as possible, report the accident to your Key Person:

AC — Public Safety: Mike Abbatessa - 542.8172
HC — Business Office: Gerald Bohdanowicz - 559.5489
MHC — Risk Management: Carol Prior - 538.2344
SC —
- Physical Plant: Pam Kukucka - 585.2400 for all Fleet vehicles
- Student Affairs: Sharon Fagan - 585.4950 for all SGA vehicles
- Voluntary Services: Tiertza-Leah Schwartz - 585.2758 for all SOS vehicles

If you have paid any deductibles or receive a bill for the deductible, please forward all paper work to the Key Person on your campus for payment or reimbursement. Departments will be charged up to $500 for deductibles if the College driver is "at-fault".

Personal Vehicles

If you are in an "at-fault" accident while driving on College business that results in bodily injury to a third party, you must send copies of all accident reports and information to the Risk Management Office. Failure to report any accidents may compromise the College's insurance coverage, and you may be held personally liable for any claims in excess of your own insurance. You may be required to submit additional information, including copies of your insurance policy, and the results of any investigation made into the accident. Coverage is dependent upon your cooperation.

If your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident, whether it is your fault or not, your comprehensive/collision coverage would respond. The College will not pay any claims to Personal Autos for comprehensive or collision damage. You are also responsible for any deductible amounts under your policy. If you do not carry any collision insurance, then the entire amount of the damage is your responsibility. It doesn't matter if you "have" to drive your own car because no College or rental vehicle is available; the College is not obligated to provide transportation.

Injuries

If you are injured while driving or riding in a vehicle while on College business and you are an employee of the College at the time of the accident, immediately contact Human Resources, as you may have a Workers' Compensation claim.

If you are not an employee on College business, and are injured while riding in a College vehicle, all medical bills must be submitted to your health insurance carrier.

Accident Investigation / Disciplinary Action

Accidents will be investigated to determine what was the cause of the accident. If you were "at-fault", the findings will be documented, and disciplinary action may be initiated if appropriate. Reported incidents of near misses, reckless driving, failure to wear seatbelts and/or cell phone use while driving, may also be investigated for appropriate disciplinary action.

Deductibles/Denials

Student groups that use College owned vehicles or rent vehicles in the College's name are responsible for any amounts not covered by insurance, whether because of deductibles or because the claim was denied for failure or delay in reporting. The College's deductible is $500.

If an employee has an "at-fault" accident while driving a College vehicle or a rented vehicle, the employee's Department will be responsible for payment of the $500 deductible. Also, Departments will be responsible for all amounts not covered by insurance because the claim was denied for failure or delay in reporting. Employees are not personally responsible for deductibles on College owned or rented vehicles.

Breakdowns

Use common sense when a breakdown occurs on the road. Put the safety of your passengers foremost. Park the vehicle as safely as possible off the traveled portion of the roadway, preferably not on a curve or at or over the crest of a hill. Apply the parking brake and place the transmission lever in park (reverse, if gear shift). Turn on the four-way flashers and shut-off the engine. Set out triangle reflectors, if available. Call Public Safety for help.

Citations / Arrests

Drivers are responsible for payment of fines for all citations, including moving violations or parking tickets. Failure to do so may result in suspension of driving privileges. All citations for moving violations must be reported to the credentialing authority for your institution.

If you are arrested at the scene of an accident (e.g., for drunk driving, reckless endangerment) you, the driver are responsible for any legal costs you may incur including attorney fees, bail, court costs, etc. The College Insurance does not cover these costs even if you are later found not guilty of the charges. Other costs you may be responsible for include towing and/or impounding of the vehicle. The College is not responsible for any unlawful acts of its employees or students, and will not defend or indemnify them for alleged wrongful acts involving the use of its vehicles or vehicles rented on college business.

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Risk Mgmt Home Faculty/Staff Information Student Risk Information Policies & Procedures Insurance Third Party Forms	Auto Accidents, Emergencies/Claims If you are driving a college vehicle or a vehicle rented on college business and you have an accident that involves another vehicle, person or property: At the Scene Stop immediately! Do NOT admit liability at the scene to anyone, even if you think you were "at-fault". Take required precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene. (Place triangle reflectors, if available.) Render all reasonable assistance to persons injured at the scene. Ask someone at the scene to call the local police, or call the local police yourself. Also, give the local police the name and number of Public Safety (24 hours/7 days a week), and ask them to call for assistance, if necessary, or call them yourself: Amherst - 413.542.2291 Hampshire - 413.559.5424 Mount Holyoke - 413.538.2304 Smith - 413.585.2490 Use the accident report forms provided in the glove box (if available) and write down the name of the other driver(s), their address(es), phone numbers, insurance information and particulars about the accident. Get written statements from any witnesses (including passengers in your vehicle or the other vehicle(s), or get their name, address and phone numbers for later contact. Obtain license numbers and descriptions of vehicles at the scene. This will be especially helpful if outside witnesses won't assist you. Exchange driver/insurance information with the other party(ies). In case of a severe accident, call: Deanna Bullock, Claims Manager Fred C. Church Insurance 800.225.1865 x7242 to report the accident during regular business hours. If the College owned or rented vehicle is broken into, hit by unknown vehicles (hit & run), or damaged while it was parked, you must report the loss to local police and get a copy of the local police report. No Cell Phones While Driving Reporting Accidents The driver is responsible for reporting all accidents to the College. A reportable accident is any accident or incident with a College owned/leased or rented vehicle, which happens no matter where you are whether it occurs on or off campus, that results in: Any damage to the College owned/leased or rented vehicle, whether the College may choose to repair it or not; Damage to College or anyone else's property (e.g., vehicle, mailbox, post, etc); Bodily injury to you or to anyone else. All accidents must be reported on a vehicle crash report for the State in which you had the accident, within 24 hours or upon return of the vehicle to campus (owned or leased vehicles), whichever is sooner and sent to the "Key Auto Person" on your campus: AC — Public Safety: Michael Abbatessa - 542.8172 HC — Business Office: Gerald Bohdanowicz - 559.5489 MHC — Risk Management: Carol Prior - 538.2344 SC — Physical Plant: Pam Kukucka - 585.2400 for all Fleet vehicles and college departments including Physical Plant, Dining Services, Public Safety, Athletics, Geology and Information Technology Services. Student Affairs: Sharon Fagan - 585.4950 for all SGA vehicles Voluntary Services: Tiertza-Leah Schwartz - 585.2758 for all SOS vehicles Key people will inform the insurance company and send a copy of all reports to the Risk Management Office. *Drivers may face disciplinary action for excessive delays or failure to report accidents.* Why this Report is Important The information from this report is used for many purposes including: Identifying locations on campus with a large number of crashes Improving dangerous roads and intersections Developing programs to reduce accidents and help avoid injuries. Rented/Hired Vehicles Report the accident to the rental company, and complete any required paper work. Keep copies of all reports and, as soon as possible, report the accident to your Key Person: AC — Public Safety: Mike Abbatessa - 542.8172 HC — Business Office: Gerald Bohdanowicz - 559.5489 MHC — Risk Management: Carol Prior - 538.2344 SC — Physical Plant: Pam Kukucka - 585.2400 for all Fleet vehicles Student Affairs: Sharon Fagan - 585.4950 for all SGA vehicles Voluntary Services: Tiertza-Leah Schwartz - 585.2758 for all SOS vehicles If you have paid any deductibles or receive a bill for the deductible, please forward all paper work to the Key Person on your campus for payment or reimbursement. Departments will be charged up to $500 for deductibles if the College driver is "at-fault". Personal Vehicles If you are in an "at-fault" accident while driving on College business that results in bodily injury to a third party, you must send copies of all accident reports and information to the Risk Management Office. Failure to report any accidents may compromise the College's insurance coverage, and you may be held personally liable for any claims in excess of your own insurance. You may be required to submit additional information, including copies of your insurance policy, and the results of any investigation made into the accident. Coverage is dependent upon your cooperation. If your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident, whether it is your fault or not, your comprehensive/collision coverage would respond. The College will not pay any claims to Personal Autos for comprehensive or collision damage. You are also responsible for any deductible amounts under your policy. If you do not carry any collision insurance, then the entire amount of the damage is your responsibility. It doesn't matter if you "have" to drive your own car because no College or rental vehicle is available; the College is not obligated to provide transportation. Injuries If you are injured while driving or riding in a vehicle while on College business and you are an employee of the College at the time of the accident, immediately contact Human Resources, as you may have a Workers' Compensation claim. If you are *not* an employee on College business, and are injured while riding in a College vehicle, all medical bills must be submitted to your health insurance carrier. Accident Investigation / Disciplinary Action Accidents will be investigated to determine what was the cause of the accident. If you were "at-fault", the findings will be documented, and disciplinary action may be initiated if appropriate. Reported incidents of near misses, reckless driving, failure to wear seatbelts and/or cell phone use while driving, may also be investigated for appropriate disciplinary action. Deductibles/Denials Student groups that use College owned vehicles or rent vehicles in the College's name are responsible for any amounts not covered by insurance, whether because of deductibles or because the claim was denied for failure or delay in reporting. The College's deductible is $500. If an employee has an "at-fault" accident while driving a College vehicle or a rented vehicle, the employee's Department will be responsible for payment of the $500 deductible. Also, Departments will be responsible for all amounts not covered by insurance because the claim was denied for failure or delay in reporting. Employees are not personally responsible for deductibles on College owned or rented vehicles. Breakdowns Use common sense when a breakdown occurs on the road. *Put the safety of your passengers foremost.* Park the vehicle as safely as possible off the traveled portion of the roadway, preferably not on a curve or at or over the crest of a hill. Apply the parking brake and place the transmission lever in park (reverse, if gear shift). Turn on the four-way flashers and shut-off the engine. Set out triangle reflectors, if available. Call Public Safety for help. Citations / Arrests Drivers are responsible for payment of fines for all citations, including moving violations or parking tickets. Failure to do so may result in suspension of driving privileges. All citations for moving violations must be reported to the credentialing authority for your institution. If you are arrested at the scene of an accident (e.g., for drunk driving, reckless endangerment) you, the driver are responsible for any legal costs you may incur including attorney fees, bail, court costs, etc. The College Insurance does not cover these costs even if you are later found not guilty of the charges. Other costs you may be responsible for include towing and/or impounding of the vehicle. The College is not responsible for any unlawful acts of its employees or students, and will not defend or indemnify them for alleged wrongful acts involving the use of its vehicles or vehicles rented on college business. Back to Top \| Home