Oklahoma Crash Map
No one expects to be in an auto accident, but it happens every day. According to statistics, a total of 9,763 Oklahoma City Crashes were reported in 2019. Out of these, 12,304 were injured and 640 succumbed to these injuries.
And although serious and fatal crashes occur throughout the city, some roads, streets, and intersections are more prone to accidents than others. Every five years, respective agencies collect accidental reports, analyze them to pinpoint the accident hotspots in the city. With this, it becomes easier to prioritize intersection improvements and crash mitigation projects.
What Causes Auto Crashes in Oklahoma?
A majority of fatal motor vehicle crashes in Oklahoma result from driver behavior. Such include distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.
But the question is, what will you do after a car crash?
1. Be Calm
An accident can be scary and traumatic, even in cases where injuries are superficial. But despite this, do your best to remain calm. With this, you’ll be able to follow through with these steps.
2. Check Yourself for Injuries
Make sure that you or your passengers are not injured. Also, check on the driver and passengers in other vehicles. If you or anyone else appears to be injured, call the police.
Remember, medical attention after an accident can be the difference between life and death. And yes, urgent medical attention improves your chances of getting fair compensation later.
3. Call a Lawyer
It is perhaps the most important step to make after an accident. The lawyer will investigate the crash, gather your medical records, and engage with the insurance companies on your behalf. With this, they’ll ensure you get maximum compensation on your claims.
But that’s not all! Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your health and recovery process as they battle your case in court.
4. Contact the Police
In Oklahoma, the law requires you to call the police before leaving the accident scene. it is a crime to just exchange contact details with the other driver and leave the scene.
All car crashes must be investigated by the police. Ensure you get the name and badge number of the police officer investigating the case.
5. Gather Evidence
Take clear pictures of all the vehicles involved in the crash. The photos should clearly show the front, side, and back sides of all the vehicles. Further, get shots of the entire scene including the debris, traffic control, tire marks, and anything you consider relevant. If you are unable to take the pictures by yourself, request another person to do so on your behalf.
Conclusion
Like most people, you probably have an idea of what to do after a car crash. Further, it may be possible that you are unsure of the steps to take. Even worse, after a traumatic and terrifying event like a car crash, you may forget what to do or make mistakes. And yes, the insurance companies will capitalize on these mistakes to deny you the rightful compensation.
To avoid these mistakes and missteps after an accident, engage a competent attorney to help you through these steps.
