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Accident Documentation Kit for Owner Operators

A step-by-step form for documenting an accident right away. Time is critical.

ACCIDENT — STAY CALM

Follow these steps in order

1Check for injuries — call 911 if needed
2Move to safety if possible without moving injured people
3Turn on hazard lights
4Place 3 reflective triangles as soon as possible and within 10 minutes (49 CFR 392.22). Two-lane road: one about 10 ft behind the truck on the traffic side, one about 100 ft behind it and one about 100 ft ahead. Divided or one-way road: all three go behind the truck, at about 10, 100 and 200 ft. Near a hill or curve, put one 100 to 500 ft out toward the hazard
5Do NOT admit fault or apologize
6Do NOT discuss accident details except with police
7Do NOT drink alcohol for 8 hours after the accident or until you've been tested (49 CFR 382.209)
8Preserve dash cam footage immediately

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What should a trucker do right after an accident?

Get safe first. Check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and set out warning triangles within 10 minutes if you stop on a road or shoulder. Then document everything before the scene changes. Take photos. Get the other driver's license, insurance and plate. Get officer and witness names. Call your carrier's safety office and your insurer the same day. Do not sign anything or admit fault at the scene.

  1. Check for injuries. Call 911 right away if anyone is hurt or if your state requires it.
  2. Set warning triangles within 10 minutes of stopping, the same rule as a breakdown.
  3. Photograph every vehicle, the full scene, plates, placards and any damage before vehicles move.
  4. Get the other driver's name, license, insurance and plate. Get the officer's name and badge number. Get witness contacts too.
  5. Call your carrier's safety office and your insurer the same day. Your carrier must save ELD and other crash records for an FMCSA audit.
  6. Do not admit fault or sign a release at the scene. Let your insurer or a lawyer handle liability.
Federal duties that follow a commercial-vehicle crash
DutyWhat it requires
Driver duty to stop and report (49 CFR 392.4, state law)Stop at the scene, render aid, exchange information and report as state law requires
Accident register (49 CFR 390.15)A motor carrier must keep a register of FMCSA-reportable accidents for 3 years, available to FMCSA on request
Post-accident drug and alcohol testing (49 CFR 382.303)Required after a crash involving a fatality, or a citation plus a tow-away or injury

This is a first-response guide, not legal advice. State accident-reporting thresholds and timelines vary, so also check your state's reporting rule in addition to the federal duties above.

Last reviewed October 2026. Sources: eCFR: 49 CFR 390.15, Accident register; eCFR: 49 CFR 382.303, Post-accident testing; eCFR: 49 CFR 392.22, warning devices; eCFR: 49 CFR 382.303, post-accident testing.

Frequently Asked Questions - Accident Documentation Kit

What should be in a truck accident kit?
A phone or camera for photos, emergency warning triangles, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a flashlight, plus accident report forms, your insurance and registration info, pen and paper, a witness-contact form and your carrier's emergency contact numbers. Keep it somewhere you can reach it without digging through the cab.
What's the first thing I should do after a truck accident?
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Set out warning triangles within 10 minutes if you're stopped on a road or shoulder (49 CFR 392.22). Photograph every vehicle, the full scene, skid marks and damage before anything is moved. Exchange information with the other driver and get witness contacts. Notify your carrier's safety office and your insurer the same day. Don't admit fault at the scene.
Should I move my truck after an accident?
Only if it's blocking traffic and it's safe to do so. Otherwise, leave vehicles in place until law enforcement has documented the scene. If you do need to move it, photograph the exact positions and any skid marks first.
Do I need a lawyer after a truck accident?
Strongly consider one for any accident involving injuries, a fatality, major damage, or disputed fault, since commercial-vehicle accidents often carry higher stakes and more complex liability than a typical car accident. A lawyer can also help you avoid giving a recorded statement that hurts your case before you fully understand what happened.
Where do I put warning triangles after a breakdown or accident?
Within 10 minutes of stopping on a road or shoulder (49 CFR 392.22). On a two-lane road, put one about 10 feet behind the truck on the traffic side, one about 100 feet behind, and one about 100 feet ahead. On a divided or one-way road, put all three behind the truck, at about 10, 100 and 200 feet. Within 500 feet of a hill or curve, put one 100 to 500 feet out toward it.
Do I need a drug and alcohol test after an accident?
After a fatality, yes, every time. After an injury treated away from the scene, or a vehicle towed because of disabling damage, only if you also get a citation for a moving violation. The alcohol test should happen within 2 hours and must stop after 8 hours. The drug test must happen within 32 hours (49 CFR 382.303). A test run by police can count if your employer gets the result.
What is the DOT accident register?
A list your carrier keeps of every DOT-recordable accident. That means a fatality, an injury treated away from the scene, or a vehicle towed away because of disabling damage. Keep each entry and the reports for 3 years (49 CFR 390.15). The tool tells you when what you entered counts.

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Go Further With Accident Documentation Kit

Guides, services and reference pages that go with this tool.

Terms explained in the Accident Documentation Kit