Chris Hammons | February 14, 2025 | Car Accidents
A car accident is a traumatic event, regardless of the severity of the crash or the victim’s injuries. The emotional distress and mental trauma can be overwhelming, making it difficult to know what to do after a car accident in Oklahoma.
Yet, the moments and days after a car accident could be vital to the outcome of a personal injury case. Therefore, knowing what happens after a car accident and what to do after an accident can improve your chance of receiving fair compensation for injuries and damages.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Oklahoma City, OK
You may be in shock after a car accident, and you may have sustained severe injuries. Knowing what to do can help you protect your rights. Steps to take after a car accident include:
Do Not Leave the Accident Scene
Oklahoma traffic laws require drivers to remain at an accident scene until they comply with all legal requirements. Leaving the scene of a car accident could result in hit-and-run charges.
Report the Accident
Call 911 to report the car accident and request help. The dispatcher will ask for your location to send police officers and EMS.
Collect Information and Evidence
If you can do so without causing yourself or others to be at risk, take photographs and make a video of the accident scene. Make sure you capture the vehicles and other evidence. Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact details.
Talk With the Police
Avoid making assumptions about fault for the cause of the accident. Instead, tell the police the facts without accepting or assigning blame. Apologizing for the accident could be taken as admitting fault.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
A car accident can cause injuries that are not immediately recognizable. You may have delayed symptoms because of shock and adrenaline. Regardless of how you feel, seeing a doctor promptly after an accident is in your best interest. It gives you a better chance of recovering fully and helps with a personal injury claim.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
Oklahoma requires drivers to have minimum car insurance coverage. Drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 ($50,000 per accident) of bodily injury liability insurance and $25,000 in property damage insurance. Liability insurance pays accident victims for damages when an insured driver causes a car crash.
Again, avoid claiming fault until you talk with an attorney. Instead, stick to the facts without assumptions about fault.
Document Damages and Continue Treatment
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Failing to do so could raise allegations of failing to mitigate damages.
Also, document damages for a personal injury claim. Track your expenses by keeping copies of invoices, bills, and receipts. Do not forget to track out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays, travel to medical appointments, and over-the-counter medications.
Make photographs of your injuries and keep a pain and suffering journal detailing your recovery.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
You could be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages for a car accident claim. You may be blamed for causing the car crash when it was not your fault. An Oklahoma City car accident attorney advises you of your legal options to help you protect your rights and best interests.
What Happens After a Car Accident in Oklahoma?
Unfortunately, the consequences of a car accident may include physical, financial, and emotional challenges. The primary concern is your health. Seeking prompt medical treatment is crucial.
However, medical care can be costly. You may incur significant medical bills after a car accident. Your injuries may prevent you from working during your recovery, which can add to the financial stress by adding lost wages to your problems.
The loss of transportation after a car accident is another problem. Your vehicle may need extensive repairs, or it could be totaled. In either case, you need transportation. Therefore, a rental car may be the only option.
Your injuries may result in debilitating pain and suffering. Medical treatments may also cause additional pain. Uncertainty about your health can cause additional stress.
Dealing with the consequences of a car accident can be overwhelming. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help. Your attorney handles all aspects of a car accident claim while you focus on your recovery.
Contact the Oklahoma City Car Accident Law Firm of Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced Oklahoma City car accident lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. Our law office is located in Oklahoma City.
We proudly serve Oklahoma County, OK and its surrounding areas:
Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers – OKC
1332 SW 89th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 497-0480
