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Last Modified on May 13, 2026
Getting into a serious car accident is stressful, but it’s important for you to keep your wits about you following the wreck. You’ll need to take certain actions immediately after it to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved and improve your chances of being able to file a claim successfully later down the line. To that effect, you should learn now how to report a car accident to the police in Oklahoma City so you’ll know what to do.
Never Leave the Scene Without Calling the Police
You should never leave the scene of a traffic accident without calling the police to report it. Not only can it hurt your chances of success in your car accident case, but according to local car accident laws, it’s also illegal. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to file an accident report.
All you have to do is dial 911. The dispatcher can send a police officer to the scene to take your account of what happened and investigate the accident. You can also request emergency medical services at this time if anyone needs an ambulance.
What to Expect From the Police at the Accident Scene
The police have several important duties they must perform once they arrive at the scene. They can:
- Secure the scene
- Get information from the drivers involved
- Take down witness statements
- Take photographs of the accident scene
- Call a tow truck if one or more cars are undrivable and their drivers are incapacitated
- Call other emergency services, such as the fire department or EMS
- Issue citations if anyone was violating the law
When Don’t You Need to Call the Police?
You may not need to call the police to report the accident if all of these statements apply to your case:
- No one sustained injuries.
- There was only very limited property damage.
- Everyone was properly licensed and insured.
- No one did anything after the accident that would require police intervention.
If there was $300 or more in property damage, you’ll need to call the police. Even if property damage was more limited and you are not required to call to report the accident, you can still do so at your discretion.
It’s a good idea to report any accident, however minor. If you don’t call, and the other driver has delayed injuries or notices damage to their car later down the line, they may file an insurance claim. It’s more difficult to prove that you were not at fault if you don’t have a police report to fall back on that indicates who was to blame for the accident.
The same is true if you choose to file a claim after the fact. If you have proof that you were not to blame, it can be easier to get fully compensated for any injuries or property damage you sustained during the crash. If you already know you’re planning to file a claim, you can take additional steps, such as taking photographs of the accident scene for yourself while you wait for the police to arrive. They could provide valuable evidence in support of your claim.
How Common Are Reportable Accidents in OKC?
In 2021, there were 44,715 accidents that caused property damage but no injuries in Oklahoma. There were another 30,195 crashes that involved injuries and 762 fatalities. In Oklahoma City, many accidents occur on interstates like I-40, I-44, and I-35. Penn Ave, Western Ave, and May Ave are all hotspots for accidents, as well.
FAQs
How Long After an Accident Should It Be Reported?
Your accident should be reported immediately after it occurs. Call the police as soon as you’ve helped everyone involved in the crash get to a safe location away from the flow of traffic. The police can send an officer to take statements and file a report, which you can use to support your eventual car accident claim. They can also send emergency medical services if needed.
What Is the First Thing You Should Do After a Car Accident?
The first thing you should do after a car accident is check to see if anyone needs help getting to safety and determine whether anyone has sustained severe injuries. After that, you should call the police and, if applicable, request emergency medical services for those who are seriously injured. After filing your police report, you can make arrangements to have your car towed off and head to the hospital to be medically evaluated.
What Happens if You Don’t Report a Car Accident in Oklahoma?
If you don’t report a car accident in Oklahoma that involved a death, injury, or vehicle damage, you could face license suspension under 47 OK Stat 10-114. This statute also makes it a misdemeanor for drivers to fail to report accidents in a timely manner, which means you could face fines or even jail time in addition to a license suspension.
Does Your Insurance Go Up After a Claim That Is Not Your Fault?
Your insurance should not go up after a claim that is not your fault. Oklahoma Statute Title 36, 941 prohibits insurers from canceling policies, raising rates, or assigning points for accidents for which the policyholders were not liable. If, however, you file multiple claims within a short period, insurers may reevaluate your risk profile even if you were not at fault for any individual claim.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today
After reporting your accident to the police and your insurance company, the next step you should take is to hire a car accident lawyer. Your Oklahoma car accident attorney can help you with every aspect of handling your car accident case, including getting a copy of the police report and helping you collect additional evidence.
The team here at Fulmer Sill would be happy to advocate for you throughout the often-challenging legal process of filing a car accident claim. We’ve handled many car accident cases and have a reputation for empowering accident victims to take charge of their healing processes by seeking the compensation they deserve. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.
