Automobile Accident Procedures
What should a vehicle operator do if an accident occurs?
IMPORTANT: Do not admit liability to anyone, under any circumstance.
In the event an automobile accident, the vehicle operator should:
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Exchange vehicle information — address, license number, plate number, year, make, model of car and name of insurance company — with the operator of the other vehicle.
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Make a clear note of date, time and location of the accident.
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IContact the local or state police, if necessary.
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Report all accidents immediately to Brandeis' Department of Public Safety at 781-736-5000. Public Safety will submit an accident report form to the Office of Insurance and Risk Management.
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In the event a Brandeis employee is injured, file a workers' compensation report with Brandeis' Office of Human Resources.
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In the event a Brandeis student is injured, file a report with Brandeis' Department of Public Safety.
What should an employee or student do if the other vehicle operator’s insurance company contacts them at work or at home about a university-owned, leased or rented vehicle?
The employee/student (vehicle operator) should send all correspondence and refer all telephone calls to the Department of Insurance and Risk Management at 781-736-8318. The employee should not discuss the accident with anyone except a Brandeis University representative or a representative of the university's insurance company.
What if the employee/student receives a summons and complaint?
An employee/student who receives a summons and/or complaint should deliver these documents to the Department of Insurance and Risk Management immediately so the necessary steps can be taken to file a response with the court in a timely manner.
What happens when an accident occurs to an employee’s personal vehicle while on university business?
The employee should:
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Submit an accident report as soon as possible to the employee's insurance company. The employee's automobile policy is the primary insurance.
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Send a copy of the accident report to the Department of Insurance and Risk Management, MS 110, and the Department of Public Safety, MS 066. The university's automobile policy will provide excess insurance in the event the employee's policy reaches its policy limit.
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Provide the Department of Insurance and Risk Management with a letter from his/her department head stating the purpose of the employee's business trip and confirming that the accident occurred on university business.
Will an employee’s collision deductible be reimbursed if an accident occurs while on university business?
It depends on who is at fault. The employee must submit proof of their auto policy deductible in the form of a copy of the policy declaration page or a letter from their insurance company. Once the employee has had the vehicle repaired and can show proof of payment of deductible, copy of canceled check (both sides) or credit card statement, the employee can submit this documentation to the Department of Insurance and Risk Management, which will then process the reimbursement.