Car accidents are one the major causes of serious injuries and deaths in Oklahoma. Motorists typically have an accident every 100.000 miles and driver negligence is often the main cause. Knowing what to do after a car accident will help you and your attorney obtain compensation for the injuries you sustain a result of another drivers negligence. Here are ten things you should do after any car accident.
1. Remain calm. It’s important not to panic even though the situation is very upsetting. You may need to get yourself out of harms way or give assistance to other victims of the accident.
2. Call 911 from the scene and report he accident. If there are injuries, let the operator know that emergency assistance is needed.
3. Seek medical attention. Due to the shock and excitement, after the accident you may not realize that you need medical attention. But go to the hospital if you are injured and let someone else complete the steps that follow. If you do not allow them to take you to the hospital from the scene of the accident, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible following the accident and get checked out thoroughly.
4. Do not leave the scene of the accident. Unless, emergency personnel take you to the hospital, stay at the scene until police arrive or risk being charged with hit-and-run.
5. Do not move your car. Leaving your car in the position in which it landed after the collision, will allow the police to collect evidence and use the skid marks and position of the car to piece together the events of the accident for the police report.
6. Do not discuss the car accident with anyone else except the police. Do not get into a confrontation with the other driver(s) or confront them with accusations, no mater how much you believe that he or she is at fault.
7. Be truthful when you speak to the police. Give an honest account of the facts, but do not admit any fault. Make sure a police report is made. If a police report is not made, file one as soon as possible and obtain a copy.
8. Collect as much information as possible. Obtain the addresses, phone numbers, driver’s licenses, registration, and auto insurance information of the other driver(s). Write down the makes and models and license plate number of every car involved in the accident and the extent of the damage to each vehicle. Collect the names, date of births, gender and the injuries to anyone involved in the accident. Locate and record the information of any witnesses to the accident. Use your cell phone or camera to take photographs of the accident if possible. Make a note of all of the circumstance involved, including the street names, intersections, traffic sign, the direction the cars were going and the paths that each vehicle was traveling before the accident occurred.
9. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to help you deal with your insurance companies and begin to build your personal injury case.
10. Contact the insurance company as soon as possible and give them the details necessary to file a claim and receive a claim number.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Car Accident Attorney
Its important to remember that after an accident, you have limited amount of time t to file a personal injury claim, therefore you should consult with a Tulsa car accident attorney as soon as you can after the incident. For a free consultation about your motor vehicle accident, contact Tulsa Personal Injury Law Office at (918) 924-5528 or send us a question using the form at the top, right side of this page.
