Accident Investigation Report: The Correct Format

Accidents are now the norm of the day with so many rash driver’s around. Some are caused due to the faulty driving and due to the carelessness of the victims. Another reason is not following the traffic rules. However, investigating an accident becomes a difficult job when there are no witnesses around. It is up to the presiding officer of the area to prepare a perfect report for to be submitted to the authorities. A format has to be followed and the report has to be effectively written, providing all the details of the accident.

Executive Summary: Ideally the report should begin with a summary about the case. This should include in short the location of the accident, whether there were any casualties or not, whether there were any eye witnesses etc. All in all, it should tell the authorities at a glance that was is the case all about.

Body: Next comes the body of the report. This should provide all the important information regarding the accident. Preferably, it should include everything regarding the accident, including the events leading up to the actual accident. It would be best if you have witnesses present. The witnesses should be questioned and cross- questioned. All the data collected from site inspection should be included. Samples, if any should be carefully collected and preserved to be shown as exhibits during the case. None of them should be tampered with until and unless the forensic testing has been done. All the facts should be carefully documented.

Evidence Analysis: Next, all the evidences collected should be sent to the experts for their opinion. Victims if any should be sent for a post- mortem. It also needs to be determined if the accident was really an accident or was it staged to claim car insurance or some other kind of scam. All the evidences should be kept under cover until the case has been brought before the respective authorities.

Corrective Actions: If the case really turns out to be an accident and any possibilities of foul play had been eliminated, certain corrective measures should be taken to avoid such accidents again. These include reinstating the traffic rules and to check whether they are strictly followed by the drivers and pedestrians alike. If necessary, strict action should be taken against the defaulters. Laws and rules pertaining to road safety should also be changed to suit any new developments. New rules and regulations should also be implemented if necessary.