What to do if you are in an accident ?
Car and truck accidents happen in a split second, and even the calmest people can find themselves in a panic after they occur. Many things may be flashing through your mind; the accident lawyers hope that you find the following information helpful in determining the right actions to take after a car accident occurs.
The first thing you need to determine is whether you or anyone else has been injured in the accident. Even accidents that appear to be minor fender benders can cause serious long-term physical injuries, such as head trauma, whiplash, spinal injuries and internal bruising, so err on the side of caution. If anyone has been hurt, immediately dial 911 for police and medical help. After the police and medical authorities arrive, you need to obtain as much information as possible about the accident in order to protect yourself and your rights once insurance claims are filed.
In our years of experience in handling automobile accident cases, the Tulsa accident attorneys have found the following information should be obtained in the event of a car crash:
- Obtain the name, driver’s license number and insurance information of all drivers involved, as well as their contact information. At the very least, you should make sure you have their home address and telephone number.
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Make sure you also obtain the insurance information for the vehicles involved in the accident.
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If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their names and contact information. Ask them to relate their version of the events.
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If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their names and contact information. If at all possible, take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident as well as pictures of the accident scene, including skid marks, debris and damaged property.
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Take detailed notes about the accident itself, including the weather at the time, what direction the vehicles were going, any injuries, property damage, and the actions taken by police, including arrests, tickets or field tests.
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Ask the investigating officers for their contact information.
Do not admit fault or assume that the other driver involved will admit fault, even if they were the one to hit you. Immediately contact an experienced Tulsa accident injuries lawyer, and do not give any statements or sign any documents until you have spoken with your attorney.