Key Takeaways

  • In the first 10 minutes after a motor vehicle collision, check for injuries, make the scene safer, contact authorities when required, and collect essential information.
  • During the next 10 hours, arrange medical care, notify your insurer, and preserve evidence.
  • Over the next 10 days, follow treatment recommendations, track expenses, and consider speaking with a Tulsa car accident lawyer.

A car accident requires several immediate decisions: You may need to call 911, move your vehicle out of traffic, or help an injured passenger. Once everyone is safe, you will also need to think about medical care, insurance, and documenting what happened.

What Should You Do in the First 10 Minutes After a Collision?

Start by checking yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, trapped, or in immediate danger, and avoid moving someone who may have a serious neck or back injury unless remaining in place presents a greater danger.

If your vehicle is drivable and moving it is safe, pull out of active traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Otherwise, stay somewhere protected from approaching vehicles.

Once everyone is safe, exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration information, and requested license and insurance details with the other driver. And if someone has been injured or passed away, immediately notifyOklahoma law enforcement.

Photograph vehicle positions, damage, debris, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions, provided you can do so safely. Get witnesses’ contact details and ask responding officers how to obtain the accident report.

Stick to what you observed when speaking with police and other drivers. Do not speculate about fault or injuries.

What Should You Do Within the First 10 Hours?

Seek prompt medical attention if you have pain, dizziness, a headache, or other symptoms, even if they initially seem manageable, as some concussion symptoms may not appear until hours or days after an injury. Seek emergency care for severe or worsening symptoms.

Notify your insurance company as soon as practical, following your policy’s reporting instructions. Give an accurate factual account, and keep a record of the claim number and adjuster’s contact information.

While the events are fresh in your memory, write down how the collision occurred and anything the drivers or witnesses said. Back up photos, dashcam footage, and messages, and save your towing receipts, medical paperwork, and other crash-related expenses.

What Should You Do During the First 10 Days?

Over the next several days, keep track of your medical treatment and accident-related expenses.

Follow any medical recommendations, attend all your appointments, and report new or worsening symptoms to your clinician. Keep copies of your bills, prescriptions, medical records, repair estimates, and missed-work documentation.

Request the police report when available and review it for factual errors. Keep copies of any correspondence with insurers, and avoid accepting a settlement before you understand the extent of your injuries and related expenses.

If another driver may have caused your injuries, consult an attorney about evidence preservation, insurance coverage, and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to report a minor accident?

Oklahoma requires immediate law enforcement notification when a collision causes personal injury or death. Property-only crashes can involve other reporting rules, so check with the appropriate agency.

What if I feel fine after the accident?

Monitor how you feel. Some injuries, including concussions, may produce symptoms later. Seek medical care if symptoms appear.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurer?

Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company. You may need to report the claim to your insurer, but avoid recorded statements and avoid signing a general release for all your medical records for any insurer. Never sign a settlement without understanding its consequences. If you’re hurt, contact a lawyer for advice and direction. The insurance company is not on your side.

Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer at Gilpin Law Office Is Ready to Help After Your Auto Accident

If you were hurt in a collision in Oklahoma, the Tulsa car accident lawyer at Gilpin Law Office can review what happened, discuss the available evidence, and explain the next steps in a potential injury claim. Our experienced legal team is ready to help you. Call us at 918-583-8900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.