The First 72 Hours After an Oklahoma Car Accident

The accident just happened. You're shaken, maybe hurting, definitely confused about what comes next. The decisions you make over the next 72 hours will affect everything that follows—your medical treatment, your insurance claim, and your ability to get fair compensation if someone else caused the crash. This guide is specific to Oklahoma, because the laws here affect what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Hour 0-1: At the Scene

The first priority is calling 911, even for what seems like a minor accident. You need a police report. Oklahoma law under 47 O.S. § 10-103 requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $300. The responding officer creates an official record that documents what happened while memories are fresh, and that report will become a foundational piece of evidence in any subsequent insurance claim or lawsuit.

While you wait for the police to arrive, check for injuries—yours first, then others. Adrenaline is a powerful pain suppressant, and people regularly walk around with broken bones, concussions, and internal injuries without realizing it immediately. If anyone is seriously hurt, do not move them unless there is an immediate danger such as fire or traffic exposure.

Exchange information with the other driver. You need their name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. Give them your information in return. This exchange is required under Oklahoma law, and failing to do so can create complications later.

Document the scene thoroughly using your phone camera. Photograph all vehicles involved from multiple angles, capturing both the overall positions of the vehicles and close-up details of the damage. Photograph the intersection or roadway, including traffic signs and signals, any skid marks or debris on the road, and the weather and road conditions. Take a photo of the other driver's license and insurance card. These images serve as a visual record that can corroborate your account of what happened—and they are far more reliable than memory, which degrades quickly after a traumatic event.

If anyone witnessed the accident, get their name and phone number before they leave. Witnesses disappear. By the time you realize you need their testimony to corroborate your version of events, they are often impossible to locate. A thirty-second conversation at the scene can provide critical evidence months later.

Finally, do not admit fault. It is natural to say "I'm sorry" after a collision—but that instinctive apology can be used against you in the insurance claim or litigation that follows. Stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver and with the responding officer. Do not speculate about what happened or who is to blame.

Hours 1-24: Medical Care

Getting medical attention is the single most important thing you can do in the first 24 hours after an accident—and it is also the step that people most commonly skip. The reasoning seems logical: you feel okay, so you must be okay. But the human body does not always report injuries in real time. Adrenaline and shock mask pain, and many of the most serious injuries from car accidents have delayed onset.

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries may not produce noticeable symptoms for hours or even days. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries often feel like mild stiffness initially but worsen significantly over the following week. Internal bleeding can progress silently. Herniated discs may not cause radiating pain until the swelling peaks. Understanding how delayed injury symptoms affect both your health and your case is critical, because the insurance company will exploit every gap between the accident and your diagnosis.

Go to the emergency room if you have any concerning symptoms—headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, numbness, or difficulty moving. Otherwise, see your primary care doctor within 24 hours. Tell them that you were in a car accident and describe everything that hurts, even symptoms that seem minor. This creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident, which is essential evidence if you later pursue a claim.

Equally important is following the medical advice you receive. If the doctor tells you to rest, rest. If they refer you to a specialist, go. If they prescribe medication, take it as directed. Insurance adjusters scrutinize medical records for compliance gaps, and every missed appointment or unfilled prescription becomes ammunition to argue that your injuries were not as serious as you claim.

Hours 24-48: Documentation and Insurance

Obtain the police report. Oklahoma accident reports are typically available within a few days from the responding agency—the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the local police department, or the county sheriff's office, depending on who responded. You will need the report number, which the officer should have given you at the scene. The report documents the officer's observations, the statements of both drivers, and in many cases, a preliminary assessment of fault.

Notify your own insurance company about the accident. You are required to report it, and prompt notification protects your rights under your policy. Keep the conversation factual: when and where the accident happened, who was involved, and the report number. Do not speculate about fault or provide detailed descriptions of your injuries at this stage.

Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. They will call you, often within hours of the accident. The adjuster will sound friendly, reasonable, and genuinely interested in understanding what happened. They will ask to record a statement "just to get the facts." This is not a neutral fact-finding exercise. The adjuster's job is to minimize what the company pays on your claim, and anything you say—including things that seem completely harmless—can be used to reduce or deny your recovery. You are under no legal obligation to give them a statement. Politely decline until you have consulted with an attorney.

Start organizing your records in one central location. Keep your scene photographs, the police report, insurance information, all medical records and bills, receipts for any accident-related expenses such as medication, transportation to medical appointments, and rental cars, and daily notes about how you are feeling. This contemporaneous documentation becomes increasingly valuable as time passes and memories fade.

Hours 48-72: Next Steps

Continue following your medical treatment plan. If your symptoms are getting worse or new problems are emerging, go back to the doctor immediately and make sure the worsening is documented. The medical record you build in these first few days establishes the trajectory of your injuries and provides the evidentiary foundation for the damages component of your claim.

Consider consulting a personal injury attorney. Not every accident requires a lawyer, but if you have significant injuries, if the other driver's insurance is already contesting liability or offering a quick settlement, or if fault is disputed, early legal advice can prevent costly mistakes that are impossible to undo later. Most personal injury attorneys in Oklahoma offer free consultations, and getting legal guidance early does not commit you to anything—it simply ensures that you do not make errors in these critical first days that could undermine your claim months down the road. Understanding a realistic injury case timeline helps set expectations from the start.

Do not sign anything from the insurance company. They may send you a quick settlement offer or a release form, sometimes within the first week. These early offers are designed to close your claim fast and cheap, before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign a release, you cannot ask for additional compensation—even if your medical bills end up being ten times higher than the settlement amount, even if you need surgery you did not know you would need, even if your injuries turn out to be permanent.

Oklahoma-Specific Considerations

Several Oklahoma-specific legal rules directly affect what you need to do after an accident and how your eventual claim will be evaluated.

Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence under 23 O.S. § 13. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. This is why protecting evidence, documenting the scene, and not admitting fault matters so much—the allocation of fault is often the central dispute in an Oklahoma car accident case. Understanding how Oklahoma's shared fault rules work helps you appreciate why every statement you make and every piece of evidence you preserve or lose carries real consequences.

The statute of limitations for personal injury in Oklahoma is two years from the date of the accident under 12 O.S. § 95. That sounds like a long time, but building a strong case—gathering medical records, obtaining expert opinions, conducting discovery—takes time. Do not wait until the deadline is approaching to begin.

Oklahoma has high rates of uninsured drivers, which makes your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage particularly important. If the person who hit you does not have insurance or does not have enough to cover your losses, your own UM/UIM coverage may be your only source of meaningful recovery. Check your policy. Oklahoma's minimum liability coverage under 47 O.S. § 7-204 is just $25,000 per person, which can be exhausted by even moderate injuries.

Oklahoma does not require Personal Injury Protection coverage, but some policies include it. PIP covers your medical expenses regardless of who was at fault, and knowing whether your policy provides it can affect your treatment decisions in the first 72 hours.

Finally, evidence preservation deserves special attention. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses gets overwritten on short cycles—sometimes as little as 72 hours. Vehicles get repaired or scrapped. Witness memories fade rapidly. Understanding the principles of evidence spoliation and taking affirmative steps to preserve proof before it vanishes can make the difference between a provable case and one that depends entirely on disputed accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call the police after every car accident?

Yes. In Oklahoma, you are required to report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Even for minor collisions, a police report creates an official record that documents what happened while the evidence is fresh. That report often becomes the single most important document in the insurance claim process.

What if the other driver's insurance calls me right away?

Be cautious. Politely decline to give a recorded statement and do not discuss fault or the extent of your injuries. The adjuster's job is to minimize what the company pays on your claim. Consult with a lawyer before providing any detailed statements. You have no legal obligation to cooperate with the other driver's insurer.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma's statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the accident under 12 O.S. § 95. While that may seem like plenty of time, building a strong case requires early action—especially for evidence preservation, medical documentation, and expert evaluation.

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident claim?

Not every accident requires a lawyer. But if you have significant injuries, the other driver is disputing fault, the insurance company is lowballing your claim, or liability is unclear, an experienced personal injury attorney can significantly increase your recovery and protect you from common mistakes that undermine claims.

What if I feel fine after the accident but develop pain later?

This is extremely common and does not disqualify you from pursuing a claim. However, the longer the gap between the accident and your first medical visit, the harder it becomes to prove that the accident caused your injuries. See a doctor within 24 hours of the accident even if you feel fine, report all symptoms no matter how minor they seem, and follow through on all recommended treatment and referrals.

Can the insurance company use my social media posts against me?

Yes. Insurance adjusters routinely monitor claimants' social media accounts for posts, photos, and check-ins that contradict their injury claims. A photo of you smiling at a social event can be presented out of context to suggest your injuries are not as serious as claimed. Be cautious about what you post during the pendency of your claim, and discuss social media guidelines with your attorney.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

Oklahoma has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the country. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, your recovery depends on your own uninsured motorist coverage. If you carry UM/UIM coverage, you can file a claim against your own policy for your injuries and damages. If you do not carry this coverage, your options are more limited, though you may still be able to pursue the at-fault driver personally.

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This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.