How claims handling, review committees, and technology work together to protect your fleet.
When a commercial vehicle crash occurs, the steps a fleet takes in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact financial and operational outcomes. Managing a claim effectively starts with timely evidence collection, a structured review process, and a focus on learning from the incident to reduce future risk. At the center of this approach is the accident committee, a critical team that evaluates crashes for preventability and identifies opportunities for improvement.
However, to make the accident review process seamless, fleets need tools to preserve, consolidate, and access crash-related evidence. That’s where the Motive platform comes into play. With dash cam footage, vehicle diagnostics, and document storage at your fingertips, crash reviews become more streamlined, objective, and actionable.
The foundation of effective claims management
The claims management process begins the moment a crash occurs. Timely and accurate data collection is essential to achieving the best possible outcome for claims mitigation. Motive’s real-time collision detection notifies fleet managers immediately, signaling the need to start preserving evidence.
Dash cam and AI Omnicam footage captures what happens before, during, and after the incident, providing a clear, unbiased timeline. This high-definition video is paired with GPS data, speed readings, and vehicle diagnostics, creating a complete picture of every incident. When fleets act quickly to collect this evidence and store it on the Motive platform, they can improve their ability to manage claims, reduce disputes, and mitigate costs.
For instance, video footage often resolves liability disputes in minutes. Instead of relying on secondhand accounts or incomplete details, insurers and claims managers have concrete proof of what occurred, ensuring quicker claim resolution.
The accident committee
The best fleets rely on structured, objective processes. That’s where an Accident Committee comes into play. While not all fleets have accident committees, those that do consistently achieve better safety outcomes. The accident committee sits at the heart of the post-crash review process. While determining fault is often a legal issue, accident committees focus on preventability with a collision avoidance focus. The key question they ask is:
Did the driver operate proactively, anticipating the actions of others and taking steps to avoid the collision?
This perspective reframes the conversation, pushing fleets to focus on driver behavior, situational awareness, and proactive decision-making. A well-run accident committee creates a culture where the goal isn’t just to “avoid fault” but to avoid collisions altogether.
When the committee meets, Motive simplifies the process by serving as a centralized repository for all crash-related data:
- Dash cam video and vehicle diagnostics provide clarity on driver actions.
- Inspection and maintenance records highlight any potential equipment issues.
- Reports and witness statements can be uploaded and reviewed within the platform.
This evidence allows the committee to analyze the root causes of a crash, identify patterns, and prescribe specific actions — such as coaching, retraining, or recognition of positive driver behavior.
Coach drivers virtually:
Preserving evidence best practices
Claims management has a legal element that fleets cannot ignore. Accident committees must operate carefully, as discoverable meeting minutes can be used in litigation. It’s important to involve legal counsel early to guide evidence preservation, discussions, and documentation.
The Motive platform helps fleets comply with legal best practices by preserving critical crash evidence in a secure, centralized system. With footage, reports, and documents easily accessible, fleets are better prepared to defend themselves in claims while demonstrating a proactive commitment to safety.
Countermeasures and continuous improvement
The most valuable outcome of an accident committee review is the implementation of preventative countermeasures. For crashes found to be preventable, the committee prescribes actions to reduce risk going forward.
The Motive platform provides critical insights that help fleets identify trends and improve safety. For example:
- Dash cam footage can reveal recurring issues like distracted driving or poor following distances.
- Views from the Motive AI Omnicam provide a broader collision perspective, showing blind spots and situational challenges.
- Maintenance tracking and electronic DVIRs highlight equipment-related risks that may need attention.
These insights help safety managers develop targeted coaching programs and preventive measures, such as defensive driving training or route planning improvements. When paired with Motive’s behavioral coaching tools, fleets can correct unsafe behaviors before they result in future crashes.
For incidents where drivers demonstrated commendable actions such as evasive maneuvers or defensive driving, recognition and positive reinforcement are equally critical. Celebrating safe driving behaviors builds a culture of accountability and improvement.
The claims process
Effective claims handling depends on speed, quality, and accuracy. The faster evidence is collected, preserved, and shared with insurers, the better the outcome. Motive ensures that fleets have everything they need, whether it’s dash cam video, vehicle data, or inspection reports, the moment they need it.
By acting quickly, fleets can mitigate claim costs, reduce settlement times, and minimize liability exposure. Claims managers gain confidence knowing they have an organized, reliable system to access critical data, giving their teams a strategic advantage in handling claims effectively.
Elevating crash management with structure and technology
Accidents happen, but how a fleet responds can make all the difference. Accident committees provide a structured, proactive way to evaluate crashes, focusing on preventability and continuous improvement. Motive enhances this process by acting as a digital evidence locker, preserving crash data, simplifying claims management, and empowering fleets to learn from every incident.
For more efficient claims management, harness the power of the Motive platform. Protect your fleet, lower costs, and prevent future incidents.
