Fleet accidents are an unfortunate reality for businesses that rely on vehicles to operate, and whether it’s involving their delivery vans, company cars or even larger heavy goods vehicles, fleet accidents can result in significant financial losses and disruptions for everyone involved.
But, by understanding the most common types of fleet accidents can help businesses take preventive measures and mitigate risks.
That’s why in this blog, we’re exploring the top 10 most common fleet accidents and how S&G Response can provide the support you need to manage them. Let’s start with…
1. Rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions are amongst the most frequent types of fleet accidents, often occurring in heavy traffic or at junctions when a driver fails to stop in time.
These incidents can result in significant vehicle damage and injuries, and have the potential to cause further accidents due to their sudden and unexpected impact.
2. Side-impact collisions
Side-impact, otherwise known as T-bone collisions, usually happen at junctions when one vehicle fails to yield to another.
The impact is typically severe, particularly if it strikes the driver or passenger side of the vehicle, and can even lead to vehicles veering out of their lane, or spinning out of control.
3. Parking and reversing accidents
Parking and reversing accidents are common in congested residential areas where space is limited, such as carparks or jobsites.
Although these accidents tend to result in minor damage, the cumulative repair costs can be substantial over time and lead to increased maintenance costs for the vehicles involved, especially if they’re not repaired correctly in the first place.
4. Single-vehicle accidents
Single-vehicle accidents occur when a vehicle collides with a stationary object such as a tree, barrier or building.
These types of accidents can be caused by a number of issues, such as general driver error, adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure of the vehicle itself.
5. Multi-vehicle pileups
Multi-vehicle pileups are typically seen on motorways and busy roads, often triggered by poor visibility, sudden braking or high-speed driving.
These accidents involve multiple vehicles, leading to extensive damage and potential injuries, and more often than not, if rear-end collisions are not identified and addressed quickly enough, multi-vehicle pileups can occur too.
6. Hit-and-run incidents
Hit-and-run incidents occur when another vehicle causes damage to a fleet vehicle and leaves the scene without providing details.
These incidents are particularly challenging for fleet operators, particularly as if neither vehicle if fitted with a video dashcam, there is not always a clear-cut way of determining who’s at fault, and companies can therefore be liable for the damage caused.
7. Driver fatigue accidents
Driver fatigue is a serious risk factor, especially for commercial fleet drivers.
These types of accidents usually involve a vehicle drifting off the road or into another lane when the driver has closed their eyes, felt too tired to concentrate on the road or fallen asleep completely whilst operating the vehicle.
8. Accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists
Fleet vehicles operating in residential areas are at increased risk of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
These incidents can lead to significant injuries, potentially resulting in long-term disability or even fatalities, which in turn create substantial legal challenges for fleet operators.
9. Weather-related accidents
Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog, can greatly increase the likelihood of accidents.
This is because larger fleet vehicles are particularly susceptible to losing control, skidding or being involved in collisions during bad weather, not to mention getting stuck in isolated locations and needing recovery.
10. Load-related accidents
Finally, fleet vehicles carrying heavy or improperly secured loads face a heightened risk of accidents too.
These incidents occur when the load shifts, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which may lead to it tipping over or spilling its contents onto the road surface, causing a serious hazard for the vehicles behind it.
How can S&G Response help with fleet accidents?
Any type of fleet accident requires a comprehensive and responsive approach, and that’s where S&G Response comes in to provide a range of services designed to support fleet operators through every stage of an accident, from initial response to final resolution, as well as a best in class 24-hour engineering service delivered by our in-house team of highly skilled and qualified engineers for your peace of mind.
Utilising the latest in estimating technology and modern repair methodologies, we produce accurate and detailed reports which ensure the correct and necessary repair methods are carried out for the best possible cost control whilst key-to-key times remain optimal. Our desktop engineering proposition provides a first class service for a fraction of the cost of physical inspection, and even in instances where desktop inspection is not viable, we also have the capability to provide physical vehicle inspections nationwide. These services are flexible to the parameters you set, determining whether a vehicle needs to be inspected in person or if reports can be assembled from images.
But, why do we do this?
Because at S&G Response, we’re not just about claims; we’re committed to providing you with a hassle-free and top-notch experience from start to finish. With over 10 years of experience, we’ve been taking the hassle out of vehicle accidents, helping customers get back on the road quickly, and our nationwide capabilities, innovative product suite, and a market-leading team of 120 operate from our Head Office in Wilmslow, processing over 120,000 claims annually for all vehicle types.
As a trusted repairer network, we boast national coverage of hand-picked BS10125 insurance-approved car and LCV repairers, each delivering industry-leading vehicle key-to-key times. Supported by a specialist network of 58 HGV repairers, we become a valuable resource and the perfect partner for comprehensive motor claims support.
From the first moment you reach out, we handle your vehicle accident seamlessly, from FNOL services to deploying the right recovery equipment and transporting your vehicle to one of our trusted repairers, and our tailored accident management services make us the most reliable repair network to partner with.
To find out more, reach out to our team today.
