You are required to stop your car and call the police if someone is injured or the damage to the vehicles is greater than $500. If only minor damage and no injuries, you can exchange information with the other driver. Provide name, address, registration number of the vehicle, drivers license number, insurance company, and insurance policy number. If there is a dispute about fault, exchange a statement as to how the crash occurred.

What if the collision is my fault?
That’s your opinion. Cooperate with the police, but do not give opinions. There is a tendency to accept responsibility, especially when someone is hurt. Anything you say will be used against you later. Stick with the facts. As an example, tell the police that you were in the outside lane, looked, put on your blinker, and then switched lanes. Do not say, "I must have made an improper lane change."

What if the collision is someone else’s fault?
Never get mad. Make sure the police investigate the accident. You can give some opinions–"He was going too fast."–but do not overdue it. You will sound too much like a lawyer advocating your case.

Is it important who was given the ticket?
Yes but not overly important, except that no one ever wants a ticket. Do not worry about signing the ticket, it is not an admission of guilt. The fact that you are given a ticket is not admissible into evidence against you in a trial involving the car accident but a conviction is admissible. Our firm can assist you in defending the ticket. NEVER PLEAD GUILTY TO THE TICKET.

What if I am injured?
Go to your doctor immediately. It is crucial to get prompt medical treatment. You get no bonus points for trying to tough it out. In fact, the longer you wait the more likely your recovery will be reduced. Insurance companies will fault you for waiting to get treatment. If you wait several days, they will claim that you were injured some other way.

Oklahoma has no-fault law, which means that your own car insurance will pay each person’s medical treatment up to a certain limit. The minimum limit by law is $4,500, but you can buy more. Your policy will set the limits.

Should I photograph my car before repairs are done?
Absolutely. Take an entire roll of pictures from every position, angle, and distance imaginable.

Should I give a statement to an insurance adjuster?
No, not until you speak to a lawyer. Even if you do not hire a lawyer, talk to one before giving a statement. You could damage your case beyond repair by giving a statement without the assistance of a lawyer. If the insurance company wants a statement, BEWARE.

Should I sign insurance papers concerning the accident?
No, not until you speak to a lawyer. Feel free to call our office. Keep this in mind: the adjuster does not work for you. These days insurance agents rarely handle claims even though they have always handled your insurance policies.

Should I keep a diary if I am injured?
Yes. Get a small notebook and record the frustrations, pain, and emotions that injuries cause. Make sure that you include even the little things, like not being able to lift your arm to comb your own hair. You might be asked months from now to describe what you went through. You will forget much without a diary.

What if I want to bring and negotiate a claim?
The best advice is to seek the help of a lawyer. Eventually the insurance company will want to know how much money you want to resolve the claim. The tough part is documenting, evaluating, and negotiating your claim. The insurance company will normally insist that you make the first offer. It will then counter-offer, arguing that your claim has very little value for a number of reasons.

Most lawyers, including our firm, handle these cases on a contingency basis. This simply means that the lawyer only gets paid if and when you collect on your claim.

Do I need a lawyer to negotiate my claim?

Insurance companies say, "NO". Can you guess why?