Emotions often run high in the immediate aftermath of a car wreck. It’s common to feel scared, shocked, and confused by the trauma of the collision. The good news is that you can protect your rights and improve your chances of a favorable outcome from your car accident claim by taking the right steps.
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Follow These Steps If You Are Involved in a Car Accident in Oklahoma
The team at Edwards & Patterson Law has these helpful tips on what to do after a car accident in Oklahoma.
- Remain Calm – First, do your best to stay calm. Getting hurt in a car crash is frightening, but panicking won’t do you any good. Try to clear your head, breathe, and focus on the present as you complete the rest of these steps.
- Call 911 – State law requires you to report any car accident to the police if it results in injury or death. To be safe, it’s a good idea to call 911 immediately after any accident to inform law enforcement of what happened and request emergency services if needed.
- Do Not Leave the Scene – Leaving an accident scene without calling the police, exchanging information with the other motorist, or helping anyone injured in the collision is against the law in Oklahoma. You could get charged with a hit-and-run if you drive away before law enforcement arrives, even if you did not cause the accident.
- Try Not to Let the Other Driver Leave the Scene – You can’t control what the other driver does after a car wreck. However, you should try convincing them to wait for the police and emergency medical personnel. Never get physical or chase them if they get in their car and speed off. Instead, take a picture or video of their vehicle. Write down a description of the accident and the other driver’s appearance while it’s fresh in your mind. You should also describe their vehicle and note the license plate number if you get it.
- Get Witnesses’ Names and Information – If any witnesses saw the collision, politely ask them for their names, phone numbers, and statements. They could provide helpful details about who is at fault or even testify at trial if you file a lawsuit against the other driver.
- Take Photos and Videos – Visual evidence is extremely valuable after a car accident. You can gather strong visual evidence by taking pictures and videos of the scene before road crews arrive to clean up. Take photos of road debris, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, and weather conditions.
- Do Not Admit Fault – You should never admit fault after a car crash. You might feel sympathy for other people involved because you know what it’s like to be in pain and feel scared. But you should never say anything like, “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you.” In a car accident claim, even an innocent apology is similar to an admission of guilt. An insurer might determine you are at fault if a police report mentions you said you’re sorry.
- Get Medical Attention – You should always visit the hospital or your doctor as soon as possible after a car wreck. Allowing a doctor to examine you can reveal underlying issues and give your provider a chance to provide the treatment you need. If your initial physician recommends follow-up care, listen to their suggestions. Treatment is essential to your recovery and your legal case against the negligent party.
- Stay Off Social Media – The insurance carriers will look for evidence to disprove your injury or reduce the value of your claim. That means your social media is up for scrutiny. If the insurance adjuster finds an online photo or comment that conflicts with your story, they might argue that you lied about the severity of your injuries and use it as an excuse to deny your claim. Your best option is to avoid social media entirely until your case ends.
- Keep Records of Everything – You should never throw away any documents related to your case. Keep copies of your medical records and bills, health insurance letters, receipts from out-of-pocket expenses, and other key documents. Thorough documentation will help you support your claim and demand the compensation you deserve.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company – Most insurance companies require you to notify them of covered events, such as car accidents, within a certain timeframe. Waiting too long could suggest to the insurance adjuster that you aren’t as serious about filing your claim and give them ammunition to undervalue or deny it.
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer – You should always seek legal assistance from an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident. Legal representation levels the playing field and gives you the resources to fight back against penny-pinching insurance carriers.
- Don’t Worry If the Accident Was Partly Your Fault – You can still seek compensation after a car accident if you are partially responsible. However, the courts could reduce your monetary award based on how much you contributed to the accident. And if your assigned percentage of fault is 50 percent or greater, you could lose your right to file a claim against another party. That means working with a knowledgeable lawyer is important if the other side claims you are at fault after an Oklahoma car accident.
- Remember the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Oklahoma – Oklahoma law gives you two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault party. However, the deadline could vary depending on your unique circumstances. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue. It’s always a good idea to work with a skilled injury lawyer as soon as possible after a wreck.
What are the Most Common Causes of Accidents?
Car accidents in Oklahoma occur for a wide variety of reasons. These include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Vehicle malfunctions
- Poor road conditions
- Bad weather
In order to win an injury claim, you must be able to show that the other party acted negligently. Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely at all times. When they fail, they can be held liable for their actions.
Contact an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer
At Edwards & Patterson Law, we care about our clients and work hard to secure favorable results for those we represent. If you sustained injuries in a car crash due to someone else’s negligence in Oklahoma, contact us now for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Contact Our Oklahoma Car Accident Law Offices
Last updated Thursday, December 5th, 2024
