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AUTO ACCIDENTS What do I do if I am in a car crash? 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. Who pays for medical treatment? 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. What if the person who hit me does not have insurance? This is more and more common. Uninsured Motorist coverage is vital. Your insurance company is responsible for the medical treatment as was discussed previously. Your insurance company may be responsible for other forms of compensation if the other car is uninsured. 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.

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