Policy

County procedures must be followed whenever a library employee is involved in an automobile accident while on library business.

Application

This procedure applies to all library employees involved in an automobile accident while on library business, whether driving a county or personal vehicle. "Library business" includes those times when you are driving between library locations, but does not include driving from and to your home, or from and to lunch.

Forms

Origami Webform: Reporting a vehicle accident (preferred way to report)

Paper form (PDF): Reporting a vehicle accident

Procedure

After the Accident

1. Complete a Multnomah County Vehicle Collision Report Form RSK-4 within 24 hours after a collision.
2. If any employee involved in the collision was injured and received medical services beyond first aid, follow County Administrative Procedure RSK-1.
3. If any employee involved in the collision was injured but did not receive medical services beyond first aid, follow County Administrative Procedure RSK-2.
4. If any vehicle involved needs to be towed, an Oregon DMV Traffic Accident and Insurance Report form (available from Support Services) must be filled out. Regardless of the damage to either vehicle, if one vehicle needs towing, each of the drivers involved needs to file a DMV report.
5. If the accident involves personal injury or death, or damage in excess of $1500 to any vehicle involved in the accident, and occurs on a public thoroughfare:
   1. Call your supervisor immediately to report the accident.
   2. Complete an Oregon DMV Traffic Accident and Insurance Report form (available from Support Services).
6. Photocopy all completed forms for your section's records.
7. Send all copies of all completed forms to Support Services within 24 hours after the accident.

Driver Responsibilities

1. Always exchange the names of other parties involved in the accident, drivers license numbers, addresses and telephone numbers. Get their insurance carrier's name, but do not give them your personal insurance carrier's name. Multnomah County is self-insured; if the other driver insists on your insurance carrier's name, tell them to call Multnomah County's Risk Management office at 503.988.5851.
2. Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses to the accident.
3. Do not argue or admit fault.
4. Do not discuss details of the accident with anyone except the county's Risk Management Office and/or insurance adjuster, County Counsel or the investigating police officer.

Related Note

Refer to Vehicle Use on County Business, County Administrative Procedure RSK-14. RSK-14 affects all County employees who drive a motor vehicle on County work time, and it details standards for employees who operate vehicles on County business to reduce accidents, injuries and the County's liability exposure.