{"id":1783,"date":"2020-12-04T02:28:32","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T08:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norwoodlegal.com\/?p=1783"},"modified":"2022-03-22T13:28:17","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T18:28:17","slug":"what-to-do-before-during-and-after-a-car-accident-a-step-by-step-checklist-for-tulsa-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norwoodlegal.com\/what-to-do-before-during-and-after-a-car-accident-a-step-by-step-checklist-for-tulsa-residents\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do Before, During, and After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Checklist for Tulsa Residents\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
No matter how minor the damage, car crashes are always scary. They are also notoriously common. Even more shocking is how common it is for a car accident to result in serious property damage or injury. In <\/span>Tulsa County<\/a><\/strong> alone, there were more than 13,000 car crashes in 2018. That accounts for nearly one-fifth of the total car accidents in Oklahoma that year. And about one-sixth of those crashes resulted in injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have never been involved in a car accident, chances are you will be at some point in your life. The <\/span>car insurance industry<\/a><\/strong> estimates that the average driver will be involved in a collision about once every 18 years. That means most drivers will be involved in at least three accidents throughout their life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Joe Norwood and the team at <\/span>Norwood Law Firm<\/a><\/strong> in Tulsa, Okla., understand it\u2019s normal to feel disoriented and shocked after a car accident, especially if it is the first time it\u2019s happened to you.\u00a0 That\u2019s why they\u2019ve created this helpful guide to help you be prepared for a potential car wreck and know what to do after a collision. By following this guide, you will be prepared to respond confidently in a car accident, stay safe, and protect your interests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to survive a car crash and prevent injury is to avoid accidents completely. But with the need to travel to work, get to the grocery store, and use a vehicle to meet other needs, abandoning driving isn\u2019t a realistic solution for many of us. Instead, we can take steps to learn more about why car wrecks happen and practice safe driving and car ownership before they do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration\u2019s (NHTSA) 2015 <\/span>Crash Stats<\/a><\/strong>, 94% of car crashes are caused by human error. Knowing the leading causes of car accidents can help you know how you can take action in your driving today to prevent Tulsa car wrecks.<\/span><\/p>\n While even safe drivers can sometimes get in accidents, knowing these common causes of car wrecks can help drivers avoid unsafe conditions and take preventative action. To help lower the risk of being in an accident, drivers can limit distractions, choose not to drive after consuming alcohol or using drugs, follow traffic laws, get enough sleep before driving, and learn techniques for driving in poor conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Being a safe driver doesn\u2019t mean accidents won\u2019t happen. Others may still drive recklessly, making the roads perilous for everyone else. Learning how to spot a reckless driver or dangerous driving conditions can help you drive defensively and prevent disaster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve all seen the car that speeds down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic. Speeding, reckless lane changes and erratic movement are all signs of a dangerous driver. Tailgating, driving without using headlights or turn signals also indicate a reckless driver. Swerving or drifting out of the lane might signal that a driver is falling asleep, drunk, or distracted. If you see a driver doing any of these things, you\u2019ve spotted a dangerous driver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve spotted a dangerous driver, <\/span>the best thing you can do<\/a><\/strong> is to avoid them as much as possible. Consider putting some distance between you and the problem car. You can\u2019t control how they drive, but you can work to protect yourself and your passengers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Spotting hazardous road conditions isn\u2019t always as easy as spotting a reckless driver. Some conditions are impossible to ignore, like heavy fog, pouring rain, sun glare, or heavy snow. Other conditions, like icy roadways or potholes, can be more difficult to spot. In clear weather, potholes are typically visible. During or after a rainstorm though, potholes may fill with water, making them look like shallow puddles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Black ice is another dangerous condition that makes winter driving treacherous. It is especially difficult to see. If the pavement is dry, you can <\/span>find black ice<\/a><\/strong> by looking for spots of pavement that look dark and glossy. In the dark, ice is harder to spot; instead, watch out for areas where ice tends to form, such as shaded areas, or on bridges or overpasses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In poor weather and road conditions, a simple rule of thumb is to slow down. Whether you\u2019re driving in snow, over potholes, or other dangerous roads, slowing down will help you maintain control of your car and safely react to hazards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No matter how safely you drive, you never know when you might be in a car wreck, so it\u2019s a smart move to be prepared for one. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you will have everything you need and be protected in case of a car accident.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When you are involved in a car wreck, emotions, adrenaline, and shock make it easy to forget everything you\u2019ve ever learned about what to do after an accident. This checklist will help you remember the steps to take to protect yourself, any passengers, and your interests in the event of a crash. Consider printing this checklist out and keeping it in your vehicle so you can easily access it if necessary. If you have any questions about this checklist or would like more information about your options after a crash, a <\/span>car accident attorney<\/a><\/strong> from Norwood Law Firm can help. Get the printable checklist now.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, getting home from the scene of a car wreck does not mean your work is done. In order to protect your rights and begin the insurance claim process, there are a few more steps to take after a crash happens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The adrenaline and physical trauma response individuals experience in a car wreck can easily mask symptoms of injury or block pain for a time. Because of this, it is not uncommon to see injuries manifest symptoms days or even <\/span>weeks after<\/a><\/strong> an accident.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash are common traumas that sometimes take days to show symptoms. Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash do not appear on x-rays like fractures and other injuries, so it can be difficult to diagnose at the scene. Concussions, neck and back pain, headaches, and PTSD may also have delayed symptoms of pain. If you experience any symptoms of whiplash, concussions, or other pain after an accident, seek prompt medical care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
What to Do Before a Car Accident: Practicing Safety and Reducing Risk<\/b><\/h2>\n
What Are the Top Causes of Car Accidents?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How to Recognize and Respond to Dangerous Drivers and Unsafe Road Conditions<\/b><\/h2>\n
What Can I Do to Prepare Before An Accident?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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At the Scene of a Car Crash: What You Should Do<\/b><\/h2>\n
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After the Crash: Steps to Follow After Leaving the Scene of a Car Crash<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What if New Injuries Arise or Someone Dies from Accident-Related Complications After the Accident?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How Long After a Car Crash Can I Make a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim?<\/b><\/h2>\n