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. The laws here affect what you need to do and when.

Hour 0-1: At the Scene

Call 911. Even for minor accidents, you want a police report. Oklahoma law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $300. The responding officer creates a record that documents what happened while memories are fresh.

Check for injuries. Your own first, then others. Adrenaline masks pain—people walk around with broken bones and don't know it. If anyone is seriously hurt, don't move them unless there's immediate danger.

Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver's license number, and license plate. Give them yours. This is required under Oklahoma law.

Document the scene. Use your phone to photograph:

• All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
• The damage to each vehicle
• The intersection or road where it happened
• Traffic signs and signals
• Skid marks or debris
• Weather and road conditions
• The other driver's license and insurance card

Get witness information. If anyone saw the accident, get their name and phone number. Witnesses disappear. By the time you realize you need them, they're gone.

Don't admit fault. It's natural to say "I'm sorry" after a collision—but that can be used against you. Stick to the facts. Don't speculate about what happened or who's to blame.

Hours 1-24: Medical Care

Get medical attention. This is the most common mistake people make: they feel okay, so they skip the doctor. Days later, they're in serious pain. By then, the insurance company argues the injury must have happened somewhere else.

Many serious injuries have delayed symptoms:

• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Herniated discs

Go to the emergency room if you have any concerning symptoms. Otherwise, see your doctor within 24 hours. Tell them you were in a car accident and describe everything that hurts, even if it seems minor.

Follow medical advice. If they tell you to rest, rest. If they refer you to a specialist, go. If they prescribe medication, take it as directed. Gaps in treatment get used against you later.

Hours 24-48: Documentation and Insurance

Get the police report. Oklahoma accident reports are typically available within a few days from the responding agency. You can request it from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the local police department, or the county sheriff's office, depending on who responded. You'll need the report number, which the officer should have given you at the scene.

Notify your insurance company. You're required to report the accident to your own insurer. Stick to basic facts: when, where, who was involved. Don't speculate about fault or injuries.

Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance. They will call you, often quickly. They'll sound friendly and reasonable. They'll ask to record a statement "just to understand what happened."

This is not a neutral fact-finding exercise. The adjuster's job is to minimize what the company pays. Anything you say—including things that seem harmless—can be used to reduce your claim. You're under no legal obligation to give them a statement. Politely decline until you've talked to a lawyer.

Start a file. Keep everything in one place:

• Photos from the scene
• Police report
• Insurance information
• Medical records and bills
• Receipts for any expenses (medication, transportation to appointments, etc.)
• Notes about how you're feeling each day

Hours 48-72: Next Steps

Continue medical treatment. Follow up as directed. If symptoms are getting worse or new problems are emerging, go back to the doctor. Document everything.

Consider consulting an attorney. Not every accident needs a lawyer. But if you have significant injuries, if the other driver's insurance is already giving you trouble, or if fault is disputed, early legal advice can prevent costly mistakes.

Most personal injury attorneys in Oklahoma offer free consultations. They can tell you whether you have a case, what it might be worth, and what to expect from the process.

Don't sign anything from the insurance company. They may send you a quick settlement offer or a release form. These are designed to close your claim fast and cheap, before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign, you can't ask for more—even if your medical bills end up ten times higher than the settlement.

Oklahoma-Specific Considerations

Comparative fault. Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence. If you're found partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. This is why protecting evidence and not admitting fault matters so much.

Statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury. That sounds like a long time, but building a strong case takes time. Don't wait until the last minute.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Oklahoma has high rates of uninsured drivers. If the person who hit you doesn't have insurance (or doesn't have enough), your own UM/UIM coverage may be your only source of recovery. Check your policy.

PIP coverage. Oklahoma doesn't require Personal Injury Protection, but some policies include it. PIP covers your medical expenses regardless of fault. Know what your policy provides.

---

The first 72 hours set the tone for everything that follows. Get medical care, document everything, and be careful what you say to insurance companies. Those three things protect you more than anything else.

At Addison Law, we help Oklahomans who've been injured in car accidents navigate the process and get fair compensation. If you're not sure what to do next, contact us for a free consultation.

---

Injured in an Accident?

Let us help you understand your options. The consultation is free.

Contact Us

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