Make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 and get an officer on the way. Request an ambulance if anyone is hurt. Then if you are able, try to collect evidence on the scene. Take photos and get witness contact information.
You should also contact your car insurance company and report your accident to the Department of Public Safety in certain situations. See your own doctor in the days that follow, in case you have injuries you weren’t aware of on the day of the collision.
What to Do on the Scene of the Accident
If you are forced into a frightening accident on a busy route like I-40 through Oklahoma City or I-244 through Tulsa, there are things to do on the scene of your crash that will help you later.
You may need help paying your medical bills while dealing with a collision injury. You may need to prove the other driver was to blame so you don’t get stuck with bills from the auto body shop.
Remember to remain at the scene. Oklahoma law requires drivers involved in accidents to remain at the scene until they’ve fulfilled some legal obligations:
Oklahoma Statute 47-10-102.
“A. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in a nonfatal injury to any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Oklahoma Statutes – Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 369 Section 10-104 of this title. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”
Section 102 goes on to detail the same requirements for people involved in an accident involving a fatality. The requirements of 10-104 include rendering aid to anyone suffering from injuries and requesting medical assistance. Victims waiting to provide I-D for investigators, taking drug and alcohol tests.
There are also things you should accomplish to make sure you don’t end up blamed and held financially responsible for a
Always contact 911 after an accident and get a police officer or the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to respond. Request an ambulance if injuries are involved.
Here are a few other important steps to take if the scene is safe:
- Take photos of the scene
- Get witness contact information
- Get information from the other drivers unless an officer provides it to you
- Get someone with you to gather information if you must rush off to the hospital
What Should I Do After I Leave the Scene of My Accident?
Make an appointment with your own doctor. Have your family physician examine your injuries, even if you’ve already been to the emergency room. There are some injuries, like hairline fractures, that might not cause you any pain until a day or two after a collision. Your doctor will help you identify any injuries that remained invisible while you were in shock over what happened.
Contact your insurance provider, even if you weren’t at fault in the accident. You don’t want your insurer to find out about what happened from the other drivers involved.
Report accidents that involve an injury, a death, or apparent damage of over $300. You’ll fill out a form for the Department of Public Safety.
What Do I Do After Colliding with an Unattended Car in Oklahoma?
Drivers striking an unattended vehicle also have legal responsibilities. They must make sure the owner of the vehicle is notified. This is what Oklahoma law requires:
Oklahoma Statute 47-10-105.
“Duty upon striking unattended vehicle. The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle of the correct name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle, and provide said operator or owner with information from his security verification form…”
The section goes on to explain that drivers should leave a note in a conspicuous place if the owner can’t be located. The note should include driver’s license and insurance information. It should contain contact information. It should go over the circumstances of what happened.
Contact An Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer If You Are Struck By a Careless Driver
Oklahoma drivers can be distracted by so many different things, and this inattention to the road can lead to devastating collisions. If a reckless motorist strikes you and you are seriously injured, you should speak to a skilled Oklahoma car accident lawyer at Ylla|Gosney. We help victims and their families in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and across the state.
Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. It’s the best way to find out what your case may be worth before you speak to an insurance representative who may tell you something very different. If you require a car accident attorney to get the most out of your accident claim, you won’t need any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless your case is won. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement check an auto insurer must provide to you and your family.