1. Motor Vehicle incident Investigation
A KEY COMPONENT OF A VEHICLE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
MVI Investigation Handout

2. What is a motor vehicle incident? (MVI)
Several common terms –
Traffic accident
Vehicle collision
Crash
Wreck
They all mean the same thing……

3. Definition of MVI
An incident involving a motor vehicle when the vehicle contacts –
Another motor vehicle
Fixed object
Road debris
Pedestrian or bicyclist
Animal OR
When the vehicle inadvertently departs the intended path of travel on any axis.

4. Definition of MVI Typically does not include –
Vehicle is hit by another vehicle while legally parked
Damage when loading or unloading the vehicle
Injuries while entering or exiting the parked vehicle
Weather-related damage, parked or driving
Superficial damage while driving, such as rock chips
Vandalism

5. Why incident?
“Incident” v. “Accident” Accident implies an unexpected event which defies cause identification.

6. MVI severity Catastrophic Fatality Major
Any vehicle occupant receives medical attention away from the scene
Any vehicle rollover
Serious
Any involved vehicle towed from the scene
Minor

7. MVI Investigation – A cog in the wheel
Vehicle Safety
Management Cycle
MVI Management
Steps taken after an MVI, including:
Driver reporting procedures
MVI investigation
Determining preventability
Tracking data
Identifying gaps in the vehicle safety management cycle

8. Crash Causes Two categories: Causal factors Root cause
Accidents of all types rarely have only one cause
Multiple failures of barriers
Two categories:
Causal factors
Root cause
If root cause is eliminated, chance of reoccurrence diminishes

9. James Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model

10. Why investigate? Law enforcement Insurance investigators/adjusters
Attorneys
Traffic engineers
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Vehicle designers and safety engineers

11. Why do we investigate?
To ensure accurate data is collected and retained
To satisfy insurance and/or regulatory requirements
But perhaps more importantly –
Uncover the root causes of our MVIs
Determine preventability
Identify and close gaps in the vehicle safety management cycle

12. Who investigates? Select an investigation team –
Staff safety professional(s)
Supervisor
Manager
Fleet Manager
Legal counsel for catastrophic MVIs

13. Investigation levels Which MVIs should we investigate? ALL of them!
But to what extent?
Investigate to the extent of existing company polices, driver qualification standards, and driver training programs, and
Decide how far to go depending on severity.

14. Before the MVI
Find a good MVI reporting form and make sure a blank one is in every vehicle
Find a MVI quick reference card and make sure a copy is in every vehicle
Steps to take
What not to say
How to take photos
Who to call
Insurance carrier requirements
Drivers trained in what to do
Hand out QRC and report.

15. During a MVI
Report all MVIs involving third parties to the police regardless of severity
Driver calls supervisor and follows QRC
Insurance requirements are followed

16. Collecting data Driver’s MVI report and photos
Driver’s most recent MVR
Run a new MVR if needed
Driver’s training records
Past MVI reports involving the driver
Past notifications of traffic violations
Vehicle maintenance records
Vehicle telematics data
Cell phone records
Police report
Printout of location map
Google Street photos of area, if available
If traffic cameras are used in the area, request footage from the operator

17. Employee interview Consult HR professionals
Interview as soon as possible, but
Allow time to let nerves settle
If employee was injured, wait
a prudent amount of time
Don’t rely solely on the employee’s
description on the MVI report
Reassure the reasons of the interview
Don’t let an admission of fault derail the investigation

18. Witness interviews Only if necessary
For catastrophic MVIs, let legal counsel interview them
For others, ask what they remember and take notes
Use statements to narrow down exactly what happened

19. Investigation findings
What happened?
Why did it happen?
What was the root cause?
What can be changed in the vehicle safety management cycle?

20. Closing the investigation
Written report with MVI details
Investigation team
Narrative of events
Facts derived from data
Causal factors
Root cause
Preventability
Recommendations of changes to the vehicle safety management cycle
Enter data into a trackable database
Type of MVI – backing, intersection, sideswipe, head-on, rear end, fixed object, etc.
Vehicle type

21. Thank you!
Please contact Chris Freedom for more support
regarding Incident Investigations or anything Driver Safety related.
EOS SAFE