University of Missouri

Business Policy Manual

Reporting Accidents and Incidents

BPM-705 Accidents - University Vehicles

Revised April 19, 2006

Definitions - University Vehicles

Licensed - Under this policy, University vehicle includes all licensed over-the-road ground vehicles:

• Owned by the University.
• Rented or leased by or for the University for official business.

Note: See also BPM 706, Accidents - Rented Vehicles.

Unlicensed - Other motorized vehicles not designed for highway use and generally used on University grounds. Examples of these vehicles are golf carts, "gators," and all-terrain vehicles used for landscaping or maintenance.

Reporting Vehicle Accidents

Written reports are required for all accidents involving a University vehicle, regardless of the amount of damage or extent of injury. Reports must be:

1. Initiated by the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, or a passenger if the driver is incapacitated, and submitted to the employee's department as soon as possible following the accident.
    
2. Typed for signature of both the driver and the department head or supervisor and submitted to the appropriate campus or UM contact within 24 hours if injury or death is involved, or if not, then within 48 hours after the accident.

Note: Reporting forms can be obtained at the UM Risk and Insurance website:
http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/fa/management/records/forms/risk/

 

Contacts are available at: http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/departments/fa/management/risk/contacts/

Immediate telephone reports to the nearest law enforcement agency (if the accident occurs on campus or University-owned premises, contact campus police) are required for any accident resulting in a rear end collision, death or injury to any person, or damage to a third-party's vehicle.

Report Forms to be Used

Licensed Vehicles - Accident reports involving these vehicles must be submitted using Vehicle

Accident Report, Form UM 5.

Note: Copies of the Vehicle Accident Report must be kept in the glove compartments of all official vehicles, along with a letter stating the University is self-insured. This letter can be obtained from Risk and Insurance Management.

Unlicensed Vehicles - Incidents involving these vehicles must be reported on Student or General Public Injury and Property Damage Report, Form UM 200.

Reporting Injury to an Employee Occupant

A Report of Injury, Form UM WC-1 must be submitted by the employee's supervisor for each injured employee occupant of a University vehicle involved in an accident, within 24 hours of the accident.

Reference: BPM 704, Employee Injuries and Occupational Diseases, gives the requirements for submitting employee injury reports.

Exchanging Information with Other Drivers

It is important to exchange information with other drivers involved in an accident. Missouri law requires that drivers involved in an accident causing bodily injury or property damage, stop and exchange the following information with the other driver(s) or injured parties; name, address, vehicle license number, driver's license number, and insurance information. If this is not possible, give this information to the nearest law enforcement officer or to the nearest police station or judicial officer.

Note: Violation of this law constitutes a felony making the driver subject to punishment.

Statements Regarding an Accident

An employee who is involved in a vehicular accident must not discuss the accident with anyone except representatives of the University, its self-insured claim's administrator or a law enforcement officer.

The employee must not make any admission as to who was at fault, nor make any attempt to settle claims or otherwise establish liability with the other parties to the accident or their insurance companies.

Insurance

BPM 803, Commercial Coverages, provides summary information about insurance coverages and BPM 804, Self-Insured Coverages, provides summary information about self-insured programs.