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In everyday terms, an accident is an unintended event that causes injury or damage. For DOT purposes, the definition is narrower and decides whether post-accident testing and accident register rules apply.

FMCSA definition

For motor carriers, an accident is an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a highway in commerce that results in:

• a fatality;
• bodily injury to a person who, as a result, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene; or
• one or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage that requires them to be towed or otherwise transported away from the scene.

Some occurrences, such as those involving only boarding or leaving a stationary vehicle or only loading or unloading cargo, are excluded. See 49 CFR 390.5 for the full definition.

Other DOT agencies use their own definitions. Meeting the definition does not by itself mean a test is required; see Decide if a post-accident test is required.