Steps to Follow After a Car Accident
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, a motor vehicle accident occurs every eight seconds in the United States. Unfortunately this type of accident has become one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. Every year, hundreds of people in developing cities like Oklahoma City are seriously injured or killed in traffic accidents due to heavily congested roads and driver negligence. By being aware of the appropriate safety precautions to follow while driving, as well as the steps to take following a car accident, Oklahoma City residents can be sure to remain safe and protect their rights.
According to recent studies, the frequency of motor vehicle accidents in the United States means it is likely that everyone will be involved in at least one during their lifetime. In Oklahoma City, the frequency of traffic accidents at recurring locations has made it necessary for serious measures to be taken by police, who have discussed installing red-light cameras at these high-accident areas.
If you are involved in an accident in Oklahoma City, there are several steps you should take immediately following the accident:
Don’t admit fault, even if you believe the accident was your fault
Call the police in order to ensure the proper information is exchanged
Exchange information including full name, address and phone number; year, make and model of vehicle, drivers license number, name and phone number of insurance company, insurance policy number, name of the owner of the vehicle if it was not the person driving
Call your insurance company to inquire how to proceed
Take pictures of the scene of the accident for proof of what occurred
Seek medical attention
Contact an Oklahoma City car accident attorney
If you are seriously injured in the car accident, seeking medical attention would be the first step to take. However, in some instances, a person who is involved in a car accident may not develop signs of injury until days or weeks following the accident. By that time, it may be too late to connect the injury to the accident, even if that was, in fact, the cause. It is always important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you don’t seem to have sustained any injuries.
It is estimated that 70,000 car accidents occur in Oklahoma every year, leading to 36,000 car accident injuries and 700 fatalities. Until some form of action is taken, the heavily-congested areas in which most of Oklahoma City’s accidents occur will continue to be considered the city’s most dangerous intersections. In the meantime Oklahoma City drivers can feel safe knowing that if they are involved in an accident, they are aware of the appropriate steps to take in order to ensure their personal safety from any illegitimate liability or harm.