Procedures for Accident Investigations

Slip and Fall

If a patron slips and falls, the accident investigation procedure begins with one of the employees of the premises. The employee who first responds to the victim is the one person who is able to initially observe the circumstances surrounding how the slip and fall may have occurred. Usually, the employee or store manager will ask the victim if medical attention is needed. If yes, an ambulance is called.

Once possible injury is addressed, an incident report is usually completed. Some typical pieces of information in an incident report include but are not limited to the name and contact information of the victim, the specific location of the incident, whether any statements were made by the victim, and whether there were any witnesses to the fall. If a surveillance camera was in operation, the pictures would be collected and reviewed.

If the victim is injured, a claim may be filed against the owner of the premises for damages. The owner's insurance company will conduct its own accident investigation and determine whether the owner is at fault for the victim's slip and fall. Such investigation may include interviewing employees and witnesses, taking photographs of the incident location, and determining what caused the fall. Determining what caused the fall includes learning how long the hazardous condition existed and whether the owner had notice of its existence. If necessary, an expert may be called to the location to evaluate the floor surface.

A collapsed-roof accident investigation begins with determining if anyone is injured inside the premises. If so, emergency response personnel are called by someone who has access to a phone.

Once possible injuries are addressed, the cause of the collapse needs to be determined. The building's insurance company becomes involved by conducting an investigation. An inspection of the collapse is undertaken by surveying the premises and taking photographs. If the insurance company is unsure of the cause, a structural engineer is retained. The structural engineer inspects the damage, using engineering techniques, to help determine the cause of the collapse. Assuming the cause of the loss is covered under the insurance policy, the plans to rebuild the roof can proceed.

Water damage to premises presents another type of accident investigation procedure. It usually begins with the owner, who probably discovers the flood. If any contents can be salvaged, they are removed, if possible. If there is insurance on the premises, an insurance company representative is dispatched to inspect the damage and determine cause. For example, was the flood caused by a broken water heater or through rain water? Assuming the cause of the loss is covered under the insurance policy, the insurance company representative will prepare a damages estimate, one for the premises and one for the personal belongings. Once the insurance claim is settled, the owner may proceed to replace the damaged property.

Fire accident investigation procedures begin with the fire department. The fire department personnel attempt to extinguish the blaze and rescue any persons trapped inside the premises. If a row house or strip mall is involved, the location is secured by attempting to prevent the flames from spreading to an adjoining structure. The surrounding area is blocked off to protect public safety.

After the fire is extinguished, the next procedure is determining the origin and cause. This is an investigation into the circumstances of how the fire began. If the cause of the fire is initially undetermined, the insurance company may dispatch an origin and cause expert to inspect the property. This expert will piece together how the fire began by photographing the scene and possibly interviewing fire personnel. Sometimes, debris may be retrieved for further evaluation. A report may be completed about the investigator's conclusions.

If there is speculation the fire may have been started intentionally, additional fire department personnel are called to the location to conduct a further examination. Debris may be collected to determine the nature of the incineration.

Auto accident investigation procedures begin with the police. The responding police officer will ask if anyone is injured. If so, an ambulance may be requested. If a hazardous condition to the roadway has ensued, fire department personnel are contacted. If the vehicles are rendered inoperable, tow trucks will be dispatched.

If the drivers are able to provide a statement, the police officer will record each driver's version of how the accident occurred into a police report. The officer will also determine whether either driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Witnesses, if any, are questioned. The police report may include a diagram of how the accident occurred and may also provide the officer's determination as to who is at fault, but not always.

If liability for the auto accident cannot be initially determined, the police department, depending on the nature of the auto accident, may undertake an accident reconstruction. Such an investigation may encompass scene diagrams, photographs, vehicle points of impact, skid marks and roadway conditions. An addendum to the police report may be furnished.