In 2023 alone, there were 718 reported deaths due to fatal motor vehicle accidents across Oklahoma. After an accident, filing insurance claims can feel frustrating, especially when injuries, blame, or fast settlement offers are in play. Knowing your rights, documenting everything clearly, and avoiding common missteps early can make a huge difference. With the right approach and legal help, you can protect your health, your finances, and your future.
At Smith Barkett Law Group, our Tulsa personal injury lawyer helps people across Oklahoma navigate the claims process, document requests, and settlement negotiations without falling into common traps.
Right after a car accident, what you do in the first few minutes can protect your health and your insurance claim. Focus on safety first, then take simple steps that reduce risk and create a clean record of what happened. In Oklahoma, you also have legal duties at the scene, including providing information and reasonable aid.
Start by moving to a safer spot if the vehicles can be moved and it’s safe to do so, then turn on your hazard lights. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if traffic conditions are dangerous, and pay attention to symptoms like headache, dizziness, neck pain, numbness, or confusion.
Bear in mind that even minor crashes can cause injuries that show up later, especially soft tissue and head injuries. Oklahoma law also requires drivers to give information and render aid after a crash under 47 O.S. § 10-104.
Exchanging information after a car crash is about accuracy, not arguing. A calm, businesslike approach helps prevent confusion later and keeps the claims process cleaner. Think of it as building the basic file your insurance companies will rely on.
Collect the driver’s name and driver’s license information (including license numbers), their insurance company name and policy number, and take a photo of the insurance card. Also, document the license plate or license plate numbers, the vehicle make and model, and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if it’s easy to capture.
If the other driver is upset, don’t debate fault. Just gather the details and let the police report and evidence speak for you.
Evidence disappears fast after a crash, so use your phone to capture the scene before cars move and details fade. Clear photos, a short video, and saved dashcam footage can make a big difference during the claims process.
Use your phone to take the following:
If you have dashcam footage, save it right away.
A police report (accident report) can help with fault disputes and insurance claims. Ask for the report number and how to get a copy later.
Most people buy car insurance and don’t read the auto policy until the worst day happens. After a crash, pull the key pages. These include the declarations page showing your coverages and limits, your deductibles, your exclusions, and the claims phone number. Knowing what you actually purchased can prevent surprises when claim payout questions start.
| Coverage | What It Usually Helps Pay | When It Matters |
| Liability | Others’ injuries/property damage if you’re at fault | Fault-based claims |
| Collision coverage | Your vehicle damage (minus deductible) | Repairs/total loss |
| Comprehensive coverage | Theft, hail, falling objects (not a crash) | Non-collision losses |
| Medical payments coverage (MedPay) | Some medical bills, regardless of fault (policy terms vary) | Early medical expenses |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) | Injuries if the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little | Big protection gap |
You may also see:
You usually have duties too, like timely notice and cooperation. Still, cooperation does not mean giving the insurer unlimited access to your life. You can ask:
Your policy is your rulebook. If you don’t know the rules, the insurance company will happily explain them, their way.
Filing an auto insurance claim is easier when you do it early and stay organized. Many auto policies require timely notice, so reporting the accident promptly can help protect your coverage.
When you report the auto accident, have the date, time, and location ready, along with photos from the scene. Provide the police report number if you have it (or note that it’s pending), the other driver’s information, and a short, factual description of what happened.
Your insurer’s decisions will be based on what you report and what you can document, so accuracy matters. Stick to facts and avoid guessing about speed, distance, or timing. If you don’t know, it’s fine to say you don’t know. A clean paper trail also helps the claims process move faster and reduces misunderstandings.
When the insurance company requests documents, create a simple folder with your police accident reports, photos and videos, medical bills, and medical records as they come in. You can also include repair estimates, damage assessment notes, receipts for towing, rentals, and medications.
Your insurer may:
If you’re unsure about a recorded statement, slow down and get advice first, especially if the injuries aren’t fully known yet.
Vehicle damage claims usually turn on a few basic issues, even when the crash itself was straightforward. If you know what insurers focus on, you can ask better questions and avoid delays.
Most collision claims come down to the repair estimate compared to the vehicle’s actual cash value, your deductible, the repair timeline, and whether the insurer declares a total loss. Ask where the car will be inspected, whether you can choose the repair shop (often you can), and how they calculate total loss value.
Filing an injury claim is paperwork plus patience, and the smoother your file is, the fewer excuses the insurer has to slow things down.
The at-fault driver’s insurer is not your insurance company. Their job is to protect their insured and control costs. That doesn’t make them evil; it just makes them predictable.
A recorded statement can cause problems because it freezes your story before you have the full picture. Insurance companies may use it to lock you into a timeline before you’ve had medical evaluations, twist casual comments into admissions, or point to small inconsistencies to weaken settlement negotiations. If you feel pressured, it’s reasonable to say, “I’m still getting medical treatment, and I’ll follow up after I’ve been evaluated.”
Note that apologies can be misunderstood. Instead, you can say:
| Say This | Avoid This |
| “I’m getting checked out.” | “I’m fine.” |
| “I’ll provide documents through the claim.” | “Here’s my entire medical history.” |
| “I’m not ready for a recorded statement.” | “Sure, ask me anything.” |
| “I don’t know,” when you don’t know | Guessing speed/distance |
Be cautious about quick settlement offers for property damage or injuries, as they often come in before the full cost of the crash is clear. An insurer may offer money before all medical bills arrive, before you finish treatment, or before you know whether symptoms will linger.
If you sign a release, you may permanently close your personal injury claim, even if new problems show up later. With the other insurer, less talking is often better; keep it factual, stay calm, and don’t rush.
Get checked out if you have pain, dizziness, headaches, numbness, or confusion. Early visits create medical records that connect symptoms to the crash. You should save the following:
MedPay may pay certain medical expenses regardless of fault, up to your policy limit. Health insurance may also cover treatment, depending on your plan. Coordination can be confusing, so keep copies of explanation-of-benefits statements and bills.
Good records turn a stressful recovery into a clear paper trail. When you track each appointment and expense, it’s easier to show what the accident truly cost you. It also helps you avoid missing bills and losses that insurers may not volunteer to pay.
You can build a simple list:
This helps later when you’re adding up medical expenses and other losses.
Medical evaluations and follow-ups do more than support a claim; they protect your health. When you skip appointments, injuries can linger or worsen, and insurance companies may argue you were never seriously hurt. Staying consistent with care supports both recovery and proof.
Not every accident needs a lawyer, but some insurance claims quickly turn into a fight for fair settlement. If you’re injured, blamed, or pressured to settle, legal guidance can protect your rights and your recovery. The situations below are common signs it’s time to talk with a personal injury lawyer.
Consider a personal injury lawyer if:
When these red flags show up, the risk of leaving money and protection on the table goes up fast. A personal injury lawyer can help control communication, gather proof, and push back against unfair tactics and low offers.
A personal injury lawyer can take the pressure off you while building a claim that an insurance company has to take seriously. We typically help by handling insurance adjusters and document requests, gathering proof such as reports, witnesses, video, and medical records, and organizing everything into a clear damages package.
We also negotiate for a fair settlement. If a fair deal doesn’t happen, litigation may be the next step. Most personal injury lawsuits in Oklahoma have a general two-year deadline under 12 O.S. § 95.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Are Paid
Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. That means:
Legal help isn’t for every claim. But when the insurer refuses a fair settlement, having someone like an insurance lawyer in your corner can change the outcome.
Move to a safe location and call 911 if there are injuries. Document the scene, exchange insurance details, seek medical care, and report the claim using your policy number.
Contact your insurer by phone, app, or website. Provide crash details, photos, the police report number, and follow up with any needed documents.
Fault helps decide who pays and how much. In Oklahoma, if you share some blame, your payment may be reduced under 23 O.S. § 13.
It depends on your insurer, your driving history, and whether you were at fault. Some policies offer accident forgiveness, so ask your insurance agent to confirm your terms in writing.
Don’t guess about speed, distance, or what the other driver did. Don’t admit fault, and don’t say you’re fine before you’ve had a medical evaluation.
Think about hiring a personal injury lawyer if you’re hurt, being blamed, the other driver lacks enough insurance, or the offer falls short.
Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident can feel like a second job. Calls, document requests, recorded statement pressure, and settlement offers that arrive before you even finish medical treatment can take up much of your time. Acting early can protect key evidence, support your medical records, and help you avoid mistakes that quietly reduce your claim payout.
At Smith Barkett Law Group, we put clients first. We will review the accident report and explain your coverage options. Also, we will handle insurance adjusters so you can have peace of mind. If you were hurt in an auto accident in Tulsa or anywhere in Oklahoma, contact us for a free consultation.
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