Services
Post-Accident Drug Testing for Employers
⚠️ Urgent? Call us now: (219) 315-0345
We coordinate post-accident collections quickly — tell us your location, the test type, and how many employees need to be tested.
What Is Post-Accident Drug Testing?
Post-accident drug testing is drug and/or alcohol testing that happens after a workplace accident or vehicle incident. Employers are required — or choose — to test involved employees to determine whether substances played a role.
There are two types:
- DOT post-accident testing — Required by federal law for qualifying incidents involving covered employees (like CDL drivers)
- Non-DOT post-accident testing — Required by your company policy for all other employees
DOT Post-Accident Testing — Time Windows
For DOT-covered employees (e.g., commercial drivers under FMCSA), time limits are strict:
| Test Type | Time Window After Accident |
|---|---|
| Alcohol test | Must be done within 2 hours (required). No later than 8 hours. |
| Drug test | Must be done within 32 hours. |
⚠️ If the alcohol test isn't done within 8 hours, it cannot be ordered. Missing the window is a serious compliance issue.
What Qualifies as a DOT Post-Accident?
Under FMCSA rules (for commercial motor vehicle drivers), a post-accident test is required when:
- There is a fatality
- Someone receives a citation AND an injury requires immediate medical treatment away from the scene
- Someone receives a citation AND a vehicle requires towing
Other DOT modes (FAA, FRA, etc.) have their own qualifying criteria — confirm with your DER.
Non-DOT Post-Accident Testing
For non-DOT employees, your company policy defines what triggers a test. Common triggers include:
- Any injury requiring medical attention
- Property damage above a certain dollar amount
- Forklift or equipment accidents
- Vehicle accidents involving company vehicles
Make sure your supervisors know exactly what your policy says before an incident happens.
Supervisor Checklist — What to Do After an Accident
- ✅ Ensure the safety of all employees involved
- ✅ Call 911 if there are injuries or DOT-qualifying conditions
- ✅ Identify who needs to be tested (DOT vs. non-DOT)
- ✅ Call us immediately: (219) 315-0345
- ✅ Keep the employee(s) available and on-site if possible
- ✅ Don't allow alcohol consumption before the test is completed
- ✅ Document everything — time of incident, what happened, who was involved
How We Respond to Post-Accident Calls
- We confirm your location, number of employees, and whether drug + alcohol testing is needed
- We dispatch a collector as quickly as available in your area
- Collectors arrive with all DOT or non-DOT paperwork
- Specimens are collected and shipped to your lab or TPA
Common questions
- Can I send the employee to a clinic instead?
You can, but time is critical — especially for alcohol tests. Having us come to your site eliminates travel delays and keeps the process under your control.
- What if the employee is at a hospital?
We can coordinate with your TPA on hospital collections. Let us know the situation when you call.
Post-accident situations are urgent.
Call us now—we coordinate collections quickly.