Accidents always have dire implications for businesses that run fleets or let their employees use company vehicles. These organizations are at high risk of being sued under vicarious liability, which holds them responsible for the negligence of the employees. Such mishaps are common, and thousands of businesses across the U.S. have to pay for the actions of their employees every year.
If you are a business owner, driver safety should be your top priority to curb the risk of accidents with company vehicles. A little caution can save you from expensive lawsuits and reputational damage. It also keeps your employees safe and prevents downtime losses. Thankfully, you can implement some actionable measures to maximize driver safety for business vehicles. Let us list them for you.
Hire smartly
Driver safety should be on top of your mind when you hire people who will have to operate business vehicles as a part of their job. Mention it clearly in the job description for the position and seek a background on their driving records to get a clear view of the candidate’s capabilities. If you operate a fleet with large vehicles, ensure that the recruits have relevant training and experience.
Invest in training
Don’t just rely on your hiring decisions. Rather, invest in continuous training of people once you have them on board. Being complacent with driver safety can elevate the risk of mishaps, so keep track of their performance and safety on the road. Investing in technologies for driver tracking is a good idea. Apart from regular training, arrange special sessions once you add a new vehicle to the fleet. Also, go the extra mile with training for the employees who have been responsible for accidents at work.
Don’t skimp on insurance
Although your employees operate the vehicles, never skimp on insurance. In at-fault states like Tennessee, the driver responsible for the crash must pay for the victim’s damages and injuries. If your employee gets involved in a crash and hurts a driver, motorcyclist, or pedestrian, your business will have to compensate the victim. The victim will hire an expert Lebanon TN motorcycle accident attorney to claim millions in compensation. Having insurance cover keeps the business financially safe as it provides for the cost of the lawsuit and even compensation value if you lose the case.
Pay attention to your vehicles
While driver competence is crucial, you cannot go slack with vehicle safety. Thousands of accidents on U.S. roads are attributed to vehicle problems. Whether your business runs a few cars or has a large fleet of trucks, ensure that every single vehicle is well-maintained at all times. Prioritize models with an excellent reputation for safety when you add them to the fleet. Create a system for the drivers to report issues and act on addressing them immediately.
Every small step to ensure driver safety makes a big difference for a business that lets employee drive their vehicles. It is a worthwhile investment as you may end up saving a fortune and protecting your reputation in the long run.
