Train Workplace Accident Investigation Training

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name: train-workplace-accident-investigation-training
description: |
  Use this skill to develop the capability to investigate crashes internally. Covers what to look for, when to escalate to outside experts, and documentation standards.
---

# Workplace Accident Investigation Training

When a crash occurs, the carrier's investigation matters for: insurance claim, FMCSA Crash Preventability Determination Program, lessons learned, regulatory response. Train someone in your fleet to do this.

## Investigation steps
1. **Within 24 hours**: secure documentation (police report, photos, dashcam footage, ELD data, driver statement)
2. **Within 7 days**: interview driver + witnesses
3. **Within 14 days**: technical analysis (vehicle condition, equipment failure investigation)
4. **Within 30 days**: written summary (preventability assessment, lessons learned)

## What to look for
- Police report details
- Citations issued (if any)
- ELD data leading up to crash
- Dashcam footage
- Vehicle inspection of involved unit
- Weather + road conditions
- Driver's HOS status
- Driver's history (prior crashes, violations)
- Mechanical condition of vehicle

## Preventability assessment
- Driver had reasonable opportunity to avoid crash → Preventable
- Driver had limited reasonable opportunity → Possibly preventable
- Driver had no reasonable opportunity → Not preventable

This determination supports the FMCSA Crash Preventability Determination Program filing.

## When to escalate
- Fatal crash → outside expert immediately (insurance, attorney, expert witness)
- Multi-vehicle pile-up → outside expert
- Hazmat release → outside expert + regulatory notification
- Conflicting accounts → outside expert
- Significant property damage → outside expert

## Internal investigator qualification
- Experience handling crashes (not first investigation)
- Understanding of CMV operations
- Familiarity with FMCSA regulations
- Photography + documentation skills
- Interview skills
- Written report writing

## Documentation retention
- All investigation materials retained per FMCSA 1-year + 6 months rule (vehicles + accidents)
- Insurance claim copies retained as long as insurer requires
- Settlement records retained per state statute of limitations

## Compass support
Compass Accidents module:
- Investigation checklist by crash type
- Document upload (photos, statements, reports)
- Preventability determination filing
- Lessons-learned distribution to other drivers

## CFR citations
- **49 CFR Part 385**
- **OSHA Accident Investigation Guidance**

## How Compass surfaces this
Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.


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## Built by X3 Compass

The AI-powered DOT compliance platform for fleets 1–100 power units. Try a 7-day free trial — no credit card required — at https://x3compass.com/?utm_source=skill&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=train-workplace-accident-investigation-training

X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.

*This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills*