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Last Modified on May 13, 2026
Car accidents are stressful, and dealing with the aftermath of them can be even worse. Knowing what to do after a car accident in Tulsa can make the experience more pleasant and help you avoid making errors that could negatively impact your eventual car accident claim.
What to Do at the Scene?
After a car accident in Tulsa, try to stay calm. Remember these steps and focus on completing each one in order:
- Check on passengers: Check on all the passengers to find out if anyone has been severely injured and help people move to safety.
- Call for help: Call 911 to request a police officer and, if necessary, emergency medical services for anyone who needs an ambulance.
- Get information: If you’re physically able to do so, get the other driver’s information, including their contact information, license number, and insurance information.
- Take photos: While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, you can take photos or videos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles. Just be sure not to get in the way of their investigation once the officer arrives.
- Give a statement: When the police officer gets there, give an official statement. Stick to the facts of the event and don’t speculate about who or what caused it.
- Take care of your car: Once you have permission to do so, you can call to have your car towed off. Your insurance company may have specific requirements regarding tow services, so you might want to check with them first.
The Importance of Seeking Immediate Medical Care
Once you’re able to leave the scene of the accident, your next step should be to head to a local medical facility like Saint Francis Hospital for a full evaluation. You can also visit your primary care doctor, as long as you can get an immediate walk-in appointment. The purpose of visiting a doctor immediately is twofold:
- Check for invisible injuries: Not all serious injuries present immediate symptoms, and catching things like traumatic brain injuries and organ damage early is one of the keys to successful treatment.
- Document your injuries quickly: You’ll want to have your injuries officially documented as soon as possible after the accident so that the liable party’s insurance company can’t claim you sustained them in the time following the crash.
The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer Right Away
As soon as you are medically stable, you should call a Tulsa car accident attorney. Don’t accept any settlement offers made by the liable party’s insurance company until after you speak with a lawyer. Your lawyer can help you identify all of the damages to which you are entitled and make sure that you get the full settlement amount.
Call Your Insurance to Report the Accident
Even if the accident was not your fault, you’ll still need to call your insurance company to report it. As with speaking with the police, stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or apologizing for the accident.
Actions to Avoid
There are a few things you should avoid following an accident. They include:
- Failing to report the accident
- Admitting fault
- Apologizing
- Posting about the accident on social media
- Talking about the accident with uninvolved parties
- Accepting a quick settlement offer without consulting a lawyer
If you’re ever in doubt about what to do following a car accident in Tulsa, contact a car accident attorney for advice.
Car Accidents in Tulsa by the Numbers
In 2021, there were 11,011 car accidents in Tulsa, OK. Of those, 4,297 caused injuries, and another 94 were fatal. Remember that under Oklahoma Statute 12-95(A)(3), you have just two years to file a car accident claim. Don’t put yours off until you become nothing more than a statistic.
FAQs
What Is the First Thing You Should Do After a Car Accident?
The first thing you should do after a car accident is check on everyone to find out if any of the people involved were seriously injured and help them get to safety away from the flow of traffic. Once you’ve confirmed how seriously people are hurt, you can call 911 to request a police officer and, if necessary, emergency medical services.
What Should You Not Say to Your Insurance Company After an Accident?
You should not admit fault to your insurance company after an accident. When you tell them what happened, stick to the facts and don’t offer extra information or interpretation of the event. If you’re found to be partially at fault for the accident, it could reduce the amount of compensation you get from the other driver or even eliminate the possibility of recovering damages entirely.
What Is the Three-Collision Rule?
The three-collision rule refers to what happens to accident victims’ bodies during car crashes. The first collision is what we think of as the car crash. It occurs when the car hits another object. The second collision happens when passengers’ bodies hit the frame of the car or the ground outside it. The third occurs when their organs hit each other or the outsides of their bodies. It’s the third collision that does most of the damage in serious car accidents.
What Happens if an Accident Is Not Reported Within 24 Hours in Oklahoma?
If an accident is not reported within 24 hours, the drivers involved may face criminal charges. The results could include administrative penalties such as temporary license suspension, fines, and even potential jail time if someone was seriously injured during the crash. Oklahoma Statute 47-10-108 requires immediate reporting of any accident that results in injuries, death, or significant property damage.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been involved in an accident, the steps you take immediately afterward are important. One of the most essential of those steps is to hire a car accident lawyer who can assist you with filing your claim. The team here at Fulmer Sill can help. We provide compassionate care coupled with aggressive advocacy for car accident victims’ rights. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation about your car accident case today.
