It All Adds Up

      While collision avoidance systems can help retain drivers, they can also protect your bottom line. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prepared a comprehensive list of costs associated with highway crashes.
      Direct costs included these items:
      • Workers' compensation benefits
      • Healthcare costs for off-duty injuries
      • Increases in medical insurance premiums
      • Auto insurance and liability claims and settlements
      • Physical and vocational rehabilitation costs
      • Life insurance and survivor benefits
      • Group health insurance dependent coverage
      • Property damage (equipment, products, etc.)
      • Motor vehicle repair and replacement
      Indirect costs included these items:
      • Supervisor's time (rescheduling, making special arrangements)
      • Fleet manager's time to coordinate vehicle repair, replacement, etc.
      • Re-assignment of personnel to cover for missing employees (less efficiency)
      • Overtime pay (to cover work of missing employees)
      • Employee replacement
      • Re-entry and re-training of injured employees
      • Administrative costs (documentation of injuries, treatment, absences; crash investigation)
      • Inspection costs
      • Failure to meet customer requirements resulting in loss of business

      These items are in worksheet form at: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/pdfs/Crash_Cost_Worksheet.pdf.

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