What To Do After a Car Accident in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City had 1,700 accidents in 2021 that caused a fatal or non-fatal injury, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office’s interactive crash maps. All of these accidents could have potentially supported a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
The actions you take after a car accident can affect your right to compensation, the speed of your claim, and even whether someone else can file a claim against you.
If you’ve been in a collision in Oklahoma City, OK, contact us at McGuire Law Firm at (405) 513-5658 for a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
How Can McGuire Law Firm Help After a Car Accident in Oklahoma City, OK?
McGuire Law Firm has helped accident victims in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, since opening our doors in 1989. Our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers have over 60 years of combined legal experience and have earned some of the legal profession’s highest honors, including an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
When you hire our law firm for help with a car accident claim, you receive:
- A free consultation where we listen to your story and explain your legal options
- Small firm attention to your case with big firm results
- Lawyers who are unafraid to take a case to court if the insurer refuses to settle
A car accident can devastate your health and finances. Contact McGuire Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your car accident injuries and the compensation you can pursue for them.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City had exactly 1,700 car accidents that caused injury or death in 2021, according to the state’s interactive crash maps. These accidents included 95 fatal crashes and 1,605 non-fatal injury crashes.
In total, 99 people died in collisions in Oklahoma City. The families of innocent accident victims killed by a driver’s negligence in these accidents may have had the right to file wrongful death claims against the at-fault drivers.
Another 2,096 people suffered a non-fatal injury. The accident victims injured by someone else’s negligence in these crashes could have pursued personal injury compensation from at-fault drivers.
To prove negligence, an accident victim must show that another driver failed to exercise reasonable care while driving. They must also show that the injury was caused by the negligent action.
Actions To Take After an Oklahoma City Car Crash
If you have not been in a wreck before, you might wonder what to do after a car accident in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Here are some steps to take after a crash:
Stop at the Accident Scene
Oklahoma law requires you to stop at the scene of any accident that causes death, injury, or property damage. If you fail to stop, prosecutors may be able to charge you with a hit-and-run.
The penalty for a hit-and-run can range from ten days to two years in prison for an injury crash. When a collision causes a fatality, a judge can sentence a hit-and-run driver to prison for one to ten years.
Call the Police
Drivers in Oklahoma must report to the police all accidents that cause injury or death. If a crash happens within city limits, you must contact the city police. You will need to contact the county sheriff’s office for accidents outside city limits, while the Oklahoma Highway Patrol handles calls for crashes on I-35, I-40, I-44, and I-240.
Exchange Information and Render Aid
Make sure to exchange insurance information with the other drivers if you are physically able to do so. You must also assist any injured people in getting medical attention. Sometimes, this simply means you need to call for an ambulance or paramedics. But if the crash happens in a remote location, you might need to drive them to a hospital.
When you exchange information, you should stick to talking about insurance and identifying information. You should not admit liability or even apologize. Both of these actions could pin liability on you, even if the other driver caused the crash.
Cooperate With the Police
When you report your accident, the police will likely respond to the scene. They will conduct an accident investigation, so they can prepare an accident report. This report will help you pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
You should cooperate with the investigation. Provide honest answers to the police, even if you think the facts might place you in a bad light. At the same time, you should make sure the police get a full picture of what you saw the other driver do.
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention, even if you’re unsure whether you were hurt. A doctor can diagnose any hidden injuries, like a concussion, so you can get full treatment. A visit to the doctor’s office will also ensure you have documentation about your injuries for any accident claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorneys
If you did not cause your accident, you may have the right to pursue injury compensation from the at-fault driver. But before you talk to the at-fault driver’s insurer, you should speak with a lawyer to fully understand your legal situation.
Our dedicated team stands up for victims like you every day. Contact McGuire Law Firm for a free case evaluation to discuss your car accident injuries and the compensation you may be entitled to under Oklahoma law.
