What to do after a car accident in Oklahoma
Every rule below is quoted from Oklahoma law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Oklahoma is an at-fault state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other driver's injuries and damage, usually paid through that driver's liability insurance. Police must write up a crash report when it results in injury or death, or when property damage appears to be $3,000 or more. You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Oklahoma.
Deadlines in Oklahoma
- 2 years
- to sue for injuries12 O.S. Section 95(A)(3)
- 2 years
- to sue for car or property damage12 O.S. Section 95(A)(3)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a death12 O.S. Section 1053(A)
- 1 year
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involved51 O.S. Section 156
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash must give their name, address and vehicle registration number, show their driver's license if asked, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt, including arranging to get them to a doctor or hospital if that is clearly needed or asked for.
“give his or her correct name, address and registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and shall upon request exhibit his or her driver license... shall render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a physician, surgeon or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such carrying is requested by the injured person”
When you must call the police
Police must write up a crash report when it results in injury or death, or when property damage appears to be $3,000 or more.
“Every law enforcement officer who, in the regular course of duty, investigates or receives a report of a traffic collision occurring on public roadways and resulting in injury to or death of a person or total property damage to an apparent extent of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) or more shall prepare a written report.”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If a crash caused injury or death, or damage that appears to be over $3,000, and it has not been settled within 6 months, the driver must send a written report to the Department of Public Safety. No report is required if everyone at the scene exchanged information and there was no injury, death, or damage beyond the vehicles.
“the operator of a motor vehicle which is in any manner involved in a collision upon any road, street, highway or elsewhere within this state resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person or in which it is apparent that damage to one vehicle or other property is in excess of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00)... if settlement of the collision has not been made within six (6) months after the date of the accident”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can request your own Oklahoma collision report from Service Oklahoma by mail or in person. A standard copy costs $7, and a certified copy costs $10. Reports can take up to 30 days to be available after the crash.
“The fee for a Collision report is $7.00. If the person requests a certified copy, there will be a $3.00 certified copy fee per 47 OS Section 2-110. A certified copy of a Collision report will total $10.00. Collision reports may take up to 30 days to populate in the system.”
Who pays for the damage
Oklahoma is an at-fault state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other driver's injuries and damage, usually paid through that driver's liability insurance.
“Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to said limit for one person, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons”
Insurance rules in Oklahoma
What insurance every driver must carry
Oklahoma drivers must carry at least $25,000 in liability coverage for one injured person, $50,000 total per accident if more than one person is hurt, and $25,000 for property damage.
“Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to said limit for one person, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Oklahoma does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance. Only liability insurance covering injuries and damage you cause to others is required.
“Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to said limit for one person, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident”
If the other driver has no insurance
Oklahoma auto insurance policies must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but the policyholder can reject that coverage in writing.
“A named insured or applicant shall have the right to reject uninsured motorist coverage in writing.”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Oklahoma Insurance Department online or by mailing in a printed form.
“Fill out the form completely, Sign the form, Give us as much information as possible, and Provide copies of all policies, riders, letters, phone logs, etc.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Oklahoma.
“Within two (2) years: ... an action for injury to the rights of another, not arising on contract, and not hereinafter enumerated”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 2 years to sue over vehicle or property damage from a car crash in Oklahoma.
“Within two (2) years: An action for trespass upon real property; an action for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for the specific recovery of personal property”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
Families have 2 years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Oklahoma.
“The action must be commenced within two (2) years.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state or local government vehicle or road is involved, you must present a written notice of claim within 1 year of the crash, before you can sue. Missing this deadline permanently bars the claim.
“claims against the state or a political subdivision are to be presented within one (1) year of the date the loss occurs. A claim against the state or a political subdivision shall be forever barred unless notice thereof is presented within one (1) year after the loss occurs.”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- 47 O.S. Section 7-324(b)(2)
- 23 O.S. Section 13
- 12 O.S. Section 95(A)(3)
- 12 O.S. Section 1053(A)
- 51 O.S. Section 156
- 47 O.S. Section 40-102
- 47 O.S. Section 10-108
- 36 O.S. Section 3636
- 47 O.S. Section 10-104
- Form 303RM-C instructions, 47 O.S. Section 6-117(D)
- Oklahoma Insurance Department Consumer Complaint page
- Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c), 5 O.S. Chapter 1, App. 3-A
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.