Vehicle Accident Response Procedure

This procedure applies to all Whitman College students, faculty, staff, and volunteers (participants) engaged in College sanctioned activities.

In the event of a motor vehicle accident immediately take the following steps:

• Ensure all participants are accounted for and responsive.
  • If any participant is ejected from the vehicle, unresponsive, or injured call 911 immediately.
• Assess your vehicle's condition to determine if it is safe to occupy and if it can safely be moved.
• If a vehicle cannot be moved, call 911 and wait for assistance.
  • If it is safe to do so, participants should remain in the vehicle with seat belts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives.
  • If it is unsafe to remain in the vehicle, participants should cautiously exit and move to a safe location away from traffic but adjacent to the accident site.
  • Turn on hazard lights, put on a safety vest located in the vehicle emergency kit and set out warning devices if possible to do so without endangering yourself or others.
  • Do not smoke or place lit flares within 25' of damaged vehicles or fluids which have leaked from them.
• If a vehicle can be moved without creating further hazard, move it to a safe location adjacent to the accident site.
  • Participants should remain in the vehicle with their seat belts fastened if possible.
    • If it is unsafe to remain in the vehicle, participants should cautiously exit and move to a safe location away from traffic but adjacent to the accident site.
  • Turn on hazard lights, put on a safety vest located in the vehicle emergency kit and set out warning devices if possible to do so without endangering yourself or others.
  • Do not smoke or place lit flares within 25' of damaged vehicles or fluids which have leaked from them.
• Exchange the following information at a safe location off the roadway:
  • Name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle.
  • If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual.
  • Make a written description of each car, including year, make, model, and color and the exact location of the collision and how it happened.
• Notify Whitman College Security at (509) 527-5777 as soon as possible.
• Complete a Whitman College Driver's Accident Report as soon as possible and submit it to Physical Plant within 24 hours of the accident.
  • Whitman College must file a State of Washington Motor Vehicle Collision Report in the event of collisions resulting in $1000 or more in vehicle damage or involving injuries.
    • A copy of the report form is located in the driver's travel pouch provided at the time of pickup.
• If the vehicle needs to be towed, or needs repairs in order to operate safely, contact the Physical Plant.  
  • M - F, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: (509) 527-5999
  • All other times: (509) 386-0046