When you start to run your own business, especially in an industry that requires the use of fleets of vehicles, it’s important for you to know to understand the ins and outs in order to ensure that you run a successful, safe and smooth operation. If you own and operate a fleet of vehicles, particularly trucks used in the construction industry, it is essential to get the right coverage. Accidents are inevitable, leading to serious injuries and even death of the victims in some instances. On top of that, crashes can also lead to damages to your vehicles. However, the good part is that you can get insurance coverage to protect your vehicles from accident liabilities. It may be difficult to prove fault in an accident, which is when insurance companies come in handy. Read on to learn how to protect your vehicle fleet from accident liability.
Get The Right Insurance Policy
It is essential that you get the right insurance policy to protect your fleet of vehicles against accident liabilities. An accident can be unavoidable in some cases, and the insurance company will chip in to pay for repairs of the damaged vehicles. People injured in the accident can also get compensation from the insurance company. Depending on the type of policy, you can also be paid to repair the damaged vehicle even if your driver was at fault. The advantage of insurance is that you will not lose financially in an accident.
Hire A Professional Truck Accident Lawyer
Many cities in the U.S. continue to witness exponential growth in vehicular and human traffic. In one of the most exponentially growing cities, Houston, roads consist of commercial trucks, and accidents are common. To reduce the impact of accident liability, locals tend to enlist the services of a Houston truck accident lawyer who knows how to pursue claims for people who have suffered serious injuries in collisions involving trucks. The same goes for local accidents anywhere, especially if you lose a loved one in the accident, since you will need quality legal representation to get compensation for your loss.
Expert accident lawyers offer services like reviewing injuries, settlement negotiations, or even taking the case to trial. Apart from free consultation, professional accident lawyers will demand payment upon the successful recovery of compensation in your claim for injuries and damages to property.
Thorough Driver Screening And Training
Every driver is responsible for their actions when they are on the road. In most cases, truck accidents result from the driver’s negligence, and they should be held liable. However, since the driver does not own the truck, the owner is responsible for the driver’s damages. Therefore, you must perform a thorough screening of drivers when hiring, so that you can protect your vehicles. For instance, you may consider the minimum years of driving experience and the number of traffic violations.
It is important to set out fleet policies and procedures that should guide all employees’ operations during the dispensation of their duties. For example, you can list activities that are unauthorized during work that include the following:
- Diverting from the route
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Use of prescription medicines
- Avoid driving when feeling tired
You can also initiate a night driving policy to help safeguard your trucks. This type of policy can include other aspects like maximum driving speeds and a safe following distance. You should also involve your drivers in managing risk when they are executing their duties. You can achieve this by utilizing feedback so that you can understand the necessary changes you implement. It is also important to offer refresher courses to your drivers to improve their competences. It is a good idea to award your drivers for observing traffic rules and maintaining clear safety records in their work.
Ensure Your Vehicles Are Well Serviced
A trucking company is liable for an accident that is caused by the driver during work. Mechanical faults cause some crashes due to poor maintenance and service of the vehicles. Therefore, if you own the trucks, you must ensure that they are properly serviced to minimize accident liability impacts. It is crucial to ensure that you buy genuine parts for your trucks to prevent accidents.
While road accidents are inevitable, there are certain measures you can take to prevent or reduce their impact. You can get the right insurance policy to protect your vehicle fleet from accident liability. Additionally, ensure that you hire the best drivers and set fleet policies and procedures that every employee must adhere to. More importantly, you need to ensure that your vehicles are well serviced to prevent accidents that are likely to be caused by mechanical faults.
