Accident Dos and Donts

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Car Accident Dos and Donts | Kania Law OfficeCar accident Dos and Donts can make the difference in your settlement. Generally speaking, being in an accident of any type can be devastating, especially when it is the person’s first time.  However, failing to be prepared should you find yourself involved in an accident can make the situation even worse. Not only can it cause you to be seriously injuries, it can also have irreversible legal consequences that even the best Tulsa car accident attorney cannot undo. There are certain accident dos and donts to follow. As such, it’s important to know what to do in advance should an accident happen to you. With this in mind, there are a number of steps you can take to help save your life and also, maximize your chances of recovering in a court of law.  Oklahoma Dos and Donts  are as follows:

A List of Oklahoma Car Accident Dos and Donts:

  • Immediately slow down, pull over to a safe place, and turn your hazard lights on.  If you leave the scene (even if the accident is minor) of an accident in Oklahoma, it is important to realize that you may be committing a crime.  Be sure to wait until police and emergency personnel arrive and wait until they are finishing processing the scene before taking off.   Also be sure to find a location to pull over that is safe and out of harm’s way.  Meaning, steer your vehicle on the farthest part of a shoulder lane and away from the road so as to avoid oncoming traffic.

  • Don’t panic.  As soon as you are in an accident, take a deep breath and do not let yourself panic.  Even if someone is injured, including yourself, it is best to remain calm in order to avoid further injuries and complications.

  • Call 911.  Do not wait for others to make the call.  Pick up your phone and contact emergency aid immediately, even if you do not think you receive injuries.

  • Check yourself and your passengers to make sure that everyone is ok.  Sometimes it can take hours, if not days, to feel the full effects of a car accident.  That is why it is crucial to have emergency personnel take a look at you and your passengers to be sure that no one has injuries.

  • Move yourself and your passengers out of the danger zone immediately.  A danger zone refers to an area where a person may incur injuries by oncoming traffic or where a fire is likely to start.

  • If possible, gather information.  This includes obtaining the names, phone numbers, addresses and other pertinent information (i.e., driver’s license number, auto insurance information, etc.) of all parties to your accident.  Also be sure to obtain the contact information of any witnesses to your accident.

  • Take photographs of the accident scene.  This includes taking photos of any and all property damage, the condition of the roadway, including any skid marks and debris, and anything that may have contributed to your accident (overgrown shrubs).

  • Obtain information on all emergency personnel that arrive at your scene.  This includes collecting their names, badge numbers, and the departments/municipalities with which they associate.

  • Take notes.   It is crucial to write down everything that occurred while it is still fresh in your mind.  This includes writing down what witnesses say to you.  As with time, they are likely to forget key details about your accident.

  • Call your insurance carrier.  The longer you wait to contact your insurer, the higher likelihood of denial of your claim.  Specifically, each policy has a certain window of time with which a person must contact their insurer after an accident.

  • Prepare.  Moving forward, we always recommend that people have a first aid kit as well as flares, cones and other attention-getting devices in their vehicles at all times.  Since you never know when an accident will occur, it is always best prepare for it.

    Contact a qualified car or truck accident attorney. Only a seasoned Oklahoma personal injury attorney knows the ins and outs of automobile accident cases.  Specifically, an attorney can review the facts of your case.  After they can advise you of all of your legal rights and options. Representing yourself is never recommended, as it could result in serious and sometimes irreversible legal consequences.

Oklahoma Car Accident Dos and Donts can impact how your case turns out both in and out of court. In a nutshell follow some fairly tight guidelines and your case will turn out best for you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and the other party is at fault we can help you.

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