Parking and Transportation Services

Driver and Vehicle Safety Manual

Section IV Accident Information

Please read this information before any action is taken. Even though an accident may be minor and the university driver does not see any damage, an accident report is still required.

An accident is described as any incident occurring that caused damage to a University of Colorado vehicle, third party vehicle and/ or caused damages to private property.  Accidents include damages caused by:

• another vehicle
• road hazards
• wildlife
• weather (wind, rain, hail, etc.)
• vandalism (this includes glass, tires, body damage, stolen vehicles, etc.)

NOTE:  Stolen vehicles must be reported immediately to Transportation Services and Police.

A. Accident Procedures

At the scene of any accident involving a university vehicle, the driver must:

1. Stop immediately and aid any injured persons. Apply the “Good Samaritan law” when appropriate (this law protects good faith efforts to assist an injured person).
2. Call police. You may call 911 or CU Police at (303) 492-6666.
3. If the local police will not send an officer to the scene, file a counter report at the local police station or State Patrol station within 24 hours. Do not admit fault.  Do not give statements to anyone except the police or your supervisor.
4. Do not leave the scene or move the vehicle until the law enforcement department has completed its investigation or until they have asked you to move it.
5. If a vehicle creates a definite hazard, please mark the location of each vehicle involved and then move the vehicle.
6. Call your supervisor.
7. Present the University of Colorado Insurance Card (found inside vehicle information packet).
8. Complete the Automobile Loss Notice.  Write down ALL information required about the other driver:
   • Name
   • Address
   • Driver’s license number and state, expiration date, date of birth
   • Home and work phone numbers
   • Vehicle owner’s name and address
   • Year, make, model and license of vehicle
   • Insurance company and policy number
   • Injured parties name(s)
   • Witnesses names, addresses and phone numbers
   • Police report number
   • Location
   • Date
   • Time
9. Write notes concerning the accident. These notes will help when you complete the accident report.
10. Obtain your supervisor’s signature on the Accident Loss Notice. The university driver must have their signature as well as their supervisor’s signature on the Accident Loss Notice before sending it to Transportation Services.
11. Call Transportation Services at (303) 492-7152 to report the accident. If after hours, please leave a detailed message and call again during business hours and speak to the accident liaison. If an after hours EMERGENCY, call the emergency number given on the voice mail message.
12. Deliver the Accident Loss Notice to Transportation Services within 24 hours of the accident.  If the vehicle is out of the Boulder area and the driver is unable to hand deliver the loss notice within 24 hours, the loss notice may be faxed to the office at (303) 492-1554. The original must be hand delivered to Transportation Services as soon as possible.
    
    PLEASE NOTE: Drivers involved in accidents will be subject to drug and alcohol testing as dictated by law or their campus' policies.

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B. Towing Procedures

Do not attempt to drive an unsafe vehicle or a vehicle with fluid leaks, and do not have the vehicle taken to a body ship or insurance company.

In the Boulder area, have the vehicle towed to:

University of Colorado at Boulder

Transportation Services, 3205 Marine St., Boulder, CO  80309

Outside the Boulder Metro area, call University of Colorado Transportation Services at (303) 492-7152 the same day or the next business day to give the location of the vehicle and potential storage charges. If this is not done, any storage charges will be the responsibility of the CU driver’s department.

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C. State of Colorado Forms

In some cases, you may be required to complete a financial responsibility form entitled “State of Colorado Report of Motor Vehicle Accidents” (DR-2301). This form is provided by the Department of Revenue, and is returned to them upon completion.

State law requires that the university driver file this form within ten days if there is injury, death, or damages exceeding $1,000.  Failure to report may cause suspension of driver’s license.

The University of Colorado is subject to the governmental immunity act, Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 24-10-101. In addition, the University of Colorado is self-insured pursuant to CRS 24-30-1501.

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D. Repair Procedures

Once the completed Accident Loss Notice is received by the accident liaison of Transportation Services, the following procedure is followed:

1. Transportation Services contacts University Risk Management to arrange for an appraiser to assess damages.  All departmental vehicles will be assessed the applicable insurance deductible with the University Risk Management office.
2. Transportation Services or the CU Risk Management appraiser calls the driver to arrange inspection of the vehicle.
3. Once the appraisal is received by Transportation Services, the driver will be contacted to schedule the repairs.

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