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Last Modified on May 13, 2026
If you’ve been in a car accident in Tulsa, calling 911 to report it to the police is one of the first things you should do. It’s not just a legal requirement for any serious accident. Calling the police also allows you to request emergency services if anyone was seriously injured, and give an official statement about what happened that you could later use to bolster a car accident claim. Now, let’s discuss how to report a car accident to the police in Tulsa.
When to Call to Report the Accident
You need to call to report the accident immediately. Don’t leave the scene of the crash until after you have spoken with a police officer and received permission to have your car removed. Before calling 911, you should check with all the other people involved in the accident to find out whether you should also request emergency medical services. Do this if anyone has sustained severe injuries and requires an ambulance.
What the Police Can Do
The police can focus on making sure everyone is safe and establishing order. They can typically:
- Secure the scene
- Get drivers’ information
- Gather witness statements
- Take photos
- Call tow trucks
- Call other emergency services
- Issue citations if relevant
Unless one or more of the drivers involved were drunk or engaging in other illegal activities, it’s rare for anyone to be arrested following a car accident. Citations may be issued if anyone breaks local traffic laws.
Tips for Reporting the Accident
There are a few rules of thumb you should follow when you report your accident. Doing so can help you strengthen your car accident case. You should:
- Never downplay your concerns: If you think the property damage is extensive or a passenger may be injured, let the police know when you call to report the accident.
- Cooperate with the officer: Be polite to the responding officers and answer all of their questions.
- Stick to the facts: You should avoid speculating about who was at fault or what caused the accident. Anything you say could be made accessible to the liable driver’s insurance company, and they can use seemingly innocuous statements against you.
- Avoid interfering with the investigation: It’s fine to collect your own evidence and witness statements at the scene of the accident as long as you don’t interfere with the police investigation.
- Write down contact information: You should write down the contact information for the police officer who investigates the crash. You’ll need it later when the police report becomes available.
- File the report quickly: If the police don’t show up to the scene of the accident, it’s your responsibility to file the report quickly. Delaying it can have a negative impact on your insurance claim, in addition to placing you in a bad legal position.
Are Police Reports Available to the Public?
Your police report should be made available to the public eventually, but it may take several weeks. To get access to it, you’ll have to contact the police department that responded to the scene. You can also make a records request through the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
You should review the police report carefully. There may be factual discrepancies between what you remember and what’s reported by the responding officer. If you documented the accident by taking photographs or getting witness statements, you can contact the officer who investigated the crash to request revisions to the report as needed.
How Many Reportable Accidents Are There in Oklahoma?
In 2021, there were 11,011 crashes in Tulsa, OK. Of those, 4,297 caused injuries, and another 94 were fatal. Accidents frequently happen on Tulsa’s freeways, including I-44, I-244, and I-444. The Broken Arrow Expressway and Memorial Drive are both busy roads, as well, making them hotspots for potential accidents.
FAQs
What Should You Not Say to the Police After an Accident?
You should not speculate as to the cause of the crash to the police after an accident. When giving your statement, stick to the facts and don’t admit fault or apologize for your role in the crash. The liable party’s insurance company may be able to use those kinds of admissions to reduce your final settlement amount or even bar you from recovery entirely.
What Is the Three-Collision Rule?
The three-collision rule applies to injuries incurred during car wrecks. The first collision involves the car hitting another object. The second collision involves the passengers of the vehicle hitting the inside of the car or, in some cases, the ground outside or another object. The third collision involves the accident victims’ internal organs hitting their bodies, which can cause substantial damage if the force is high.
How Do the Police Investigate a Car Accident?
The police investigate a car accident by interviewing the people involved and any witnesses who stayed at the scene, taking photographs of the accident scene, and working with an accident reconstruction specialist to determine what happened. If any laws were broken, the police may also make arrests or issue citations.
What Type of Accidents Need to Be Reported in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, any accidents involving deaths, injuries, or substantial property damage must be reported to the police immediately. The cutoff for substantial property damage is $300 under Oklahoma Statute 47-10-108. You’re required to report the accident immediately, so don’t leave the scene without calling the police first. Otherwise, it could be considered a hit-and-run.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been in any kind of car accident, you should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your top priorities should be reporting the accident to the police and seeking medical care for any injuries you’ve sustained, but hiring a lawyer should be #3 on your to-do list.
The team here at Fulmer Sill is ready to help. We’ve been in practice for years, advocating for the rights of accident victims injured in car crashes. We can help you with every aspect of your car accident case, from filing the initial paperwork to getting a copy of the police report and collecting other evidence we can use to negotiate a fair settlement with the liable party’s insurance company. Contact us to get started today.
