Post-Crash and Incident Response
This domain tests what you do in the first minutes after a collision: protect people, protect the scene, and protect the record. The steps are sequential and leaving one out is a scoring error and often a legal one.
Core rules
- Stop. Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is a criminal offense.
- Protect the scene: hazard lights on, and set out triangles or reflectors where required. Get passengers to a safe location away from traffic.
- Check for injuries. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is fire, hazardous material, or another immediate danger.
- Call 911. Give location, number of injured, and whether fire or hazmat is involved.
- Exchange required information and remain on scene until released by police.
- Notify your employer immediately.
- Post-accident testing: alcohol testing within 8 hours, drug testing within 32 hours, as directed by the carrier.
- Massachusetts 'Steer It, Clear It': in a minor, drivable crash on a limited-access highway, move the vehicle out of the travel lane to a safe spot before exchanging information.
- Write down facts; do not admit fault or discuss who was at fault.
Worked example
A low-speed sideswipe on the Mass Pike leaves both vehicles drivable and no one hurt. The driver moves to the shoulder, turns on hazards, checks passengers, calls 911, exchanges information, and reports to dispatch within minutes rather than standing in a live lane.
Traps that cost marks
Leaving to find a phone; moving an injured rider; failing to arrange post-accident testing; apologizing and admitting fault; standing in a travel lane during a minor crash.