Automobile Accidents

At The Firm, Dean Foote & Associates in Tulsa, Oklahoma or across the USA, the Attorney works for you! What if someone is injured? • Getting help. • Getting information

What should I do if I'm involved in an Automobile Accident?

1. If I am in an Automobile Accident, do I have to stay at the scene?

Yes. Oklahoma State Law says you must stop. It does not matter if the wreck involves a moving vehicle, parked vehicle, pedestrian or someone's property. If you leave the scene, you could be charged with "Hit and Run"- even if the wreck is not your fault.
Hit and Runcharges are serious depending on the amount of damage you cause. You may be given a large fine, sent to jail or both. There is also a good chance you will loose your drivers license.

If you collide with a parked vehicle, try to find the owner of the vehicle. If it is not possible, drive away only after you leave your name, address, phone and an explanation of the accident. It is to your best interest to notify the local police or state police either by telephone or in person.

It is very important to call the police if an injury, property damage or death occurs due to the accident. The officer who arrives on the scene of the accident will make a report of the findings. If an officer does not show up, you may want to make a written report at the police department.

2. What if someone is injured due to the accident?

Oklahoma State law requires you to give a reasonable support to injured persons. For example, you may need to call an ambulance, take the injured person to the doctor or hospital, or even give first aid if you know how.

If you are not qualified in giving first aid, do not move someone who is severely hurt; you might cause further injuries. However, you should move someone who is in danger of further injury. For example, if someone is thrown from his or her vehicle in to the highway, carefully move that person in to safety.

In order to avoid additional collisions, try to signal other motorists that an accident has occurred. Placing road flares around your vehicle, turning on your vehicles hazard lights and even raising the engine hood are good ways to signal surrounding traffic.

Arrange to get help for any injured persons, and try not to panic.

3. How can I get the injured help?

As soon as you can get to a telephone, call 911.

Explain the situation and give your exact location, so help can arrive quickly. Be sure to mention whether you need an ambulance or a fire engine.

Flag down oncoming traffic, and ask the driver to go call for help. There is a good chance the driver will have a cellular phone in the vehicle and can make an emergency call on the scene.

4. Is there important information I need to gather at the scene of the accident?

Since many records now are confidential under state law, you may not be able to obtain the information that you want from the Department of Finance and Administration. Be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident.

• You and the other driver should show each other your drivers' licenses and vehicle registrations. Make sure to record the other driver's name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license number and expiration date, and insurance company.
• The other car's make, year, model license plate number along with expiration date and vehicle identification number.
• The names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance companies of the other car's legal and registered owners - if the driver does not own the car.
• The names, addresses, telephone numbers of any passengers in the other vehicle.
• The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down.
• The name and badge number of the police officer who comes to the scene of the accident. Ask the officer where and when you can get a copy of the police report.
• It is good to make a simple diagram of the accident. Draw the positions of both vehicles before, during and after the accident. If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or streetlights. If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene.
• Make notes on weather and road conditions. If the accident happened after dark, say whether streetlights were on. Estimate your speed and the other driver's. Be sure to note the exact time and place the accident happened.