What Can I Do Right After a Tulsa Car Accident to Help Prove I’m Innocent?

Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps people that have been hurt in car accidents in Tulsa by answering questions they have about the claims process. No matter what kind of car accident you’re in, the steps you take right after it happens are going to be extremely important to how your claim plays out. Our team can help you through this process, too. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.

What Can You Do After a Car Accident to Protect Your Claim?

Car accidents are scary and overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with serious injuries or damage to your car. But no matter how difficult it feels, it’s important to take the right steps to build a strong claim. Here’s what you need to do right after your accident to protect yourself and your potential claim:

  • Call 911 – The first step is to report the accident to 911. Police will respond to the scene and file an official report. If you’re injured, ask for an ambulance to get medical care and document your injuries.
  • Exchange information with others – Get the names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance info from everyone involved. Also, talk to any witnesses and get their contact information.
  • Document the accident scene – Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and anything relevant. Be sure to save the accident report and medical records.
  • Keep track of your losses – Keep a detailed record of all costs like medical bills, car repairs, and all your other expenses so you can prove the financial impact of the accident.
  • Don’t admit fault – Don’t say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault, even if you think you might be partially responsible. Let the evidence and our team figure out the liability situation.

 

By following these steps, you’ll have the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim. If you need help with the process, our team is here to provide guidance and support.

How Do You Get Compensation in a Car Accident Claim?

The reason that taking the above steps is so important is because it forms the foundation of your claim for “damages.” You do this by filing either:

  • An insurance claim out of court
  • A personal injury lawsuit inside the court system

Both an insurance claim and a lawsuit operate pretty much the same way: you make a “claim” for financial support by showing what happened and what you’ve lost, then the other person (through their insurance company or lawyer) presents their side of the story. But there’s a key difference–an insurance claim is much less formal and totally controlled by the other person’s insurance company.

 

So, while you can get a settlement quicker, the insurance company is going to try to pay you as little as possible to save money. If their initial offer isn’t enough to cover your losses, you can file a lawsuit. It takes longer, but is a more impartial and fairer process. The overall goal of both options is to recover things like:

 

  • Medical expenses and ongoing care needs
  • Lost income or loss of earning potential
  • Repair/replacement costs for your car or other damaged property
  • Costs for your pain, suffering, and emotional distress
  • Costs relating to your reduced quality of life

 

Remember, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. If you miss this deadline, you can’t file a claim or recover damages at all.

How Can Our Tulsa Car Accident Lawyers Help You?

While hiring a lawyer probably isn’t necessary for minor injuries, the reality is that a car accident claim can get complicated pretty quickly. If you’re hurt or have other questions, it makes everything else harder. That’s where we come in. Our experienced team can help you recover by guiding you through the claims process. Here’s how we’ll help you:

 

  • Explaining your options – We’ll help you understand your rights and the best legal path to take.
  • Gathering evidence – We’ll collect medical records, accident reports, and other information to build your case.
  • Investigating the accident – We’ll figure out who’s at fault and who should pay for your damages.
  • Dealing with insurance – We’ll handle insurance companies and make sure you get a fair settlement.
  • Filing a lawsuit – If necessary, we’ll file a lawsuit and represent you in court so you can get a fairer settlement decided by a judge and jury.

Our goal is to take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery. Plus, we work on a contingency-fee basis–meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. Our fees are only taken from the settlement we win for you. Contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Tulsa to get your claims process started.