Tulsa Auto Body and Collision | Filing a Traffic Accident

Tulsa Auto Body and Collision car in forest

Written by Nathan Zimmer

February 18, 2021

When you have a Tulsa auto body and collision repair need, call American Auto Body and Collision at 539-367-3564 or email us at info@americanabac.com.  We are here to help you throughout every step of the process.  Talk with one of our representatives today to get started with a free consultation and estimate.  Our technicians are equipped to service and automobile repair with quality parts and service.  Our goal is to get your car in and out of the shop as quickly as possible.  You don’t plan to have car trouble, but we plan to help you as fast as possible. 

Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents are no fun.  No one plans to get in a car accident.  Depending on the extent of the car accident, it can be extremely frightening and stressful to deal with.  Sometimes it can be very hard to know what to do in these situations especially if you are a newer driver.  American Auto Body and Collision is a Tulsa based collision repair shop that is here to help you.  We specialize in making the process of getting you back on the road easy.  

In this article, we look at the when and how of filing a traffic collision report with the police.  Insurance companies and most states require that you file an accident report for any traffic accidents that cause serious property or human casualty damage.  If you don’t file an accident report, you could jeopardize any insurance claims you try to file.  Not to mention, you could be breaking the law.  So without further ado, let’s get started!

When to File

Worst case scenario

Imagine you are driving down the road.  Maybe, you have the music cranked in your car, or you’re distracted on your phone.  You don’t see that the light changed red.  You barrel through the light just as a White Ford F-150 starts to accelerate.  Your car collides with his clipping the passenger side corner of your car with his front bumper.  The Ford is pushed into the other lanes of traffic while your car begins to spin flipping uncontrollably.  

Your head hits the steering wheel and you see black in the corners of your eyes.  You cling to consciousness as you vaguely feel your car slowly roll to a stop.  Dazed and confused you look around taking stock of the scene.  

What is the first thing you do?  Well in this case it’s pretty obvious that you are at fault.  In an instance like this, the first thing you do should be to check the other passengers in your own vehicle and those involved in the wreck.  If you can’t do this due to injuries, try to use your phone to call 911 for assistance.  

When the police arrive, you will have to explain the situation to them.  If they are called, then the police will investigate and file a report.  So in the worst case scenario, you don’t have to file a police report because they will do it for you.  

Better case scenario

Now let’s imagine a different scenario.  Let’s say that you are in the Sonic parking lot.  You just get your food and you’re excited to eat.  As you begin to back out, you miss the fact that a car is parked behind you.  You start to back up only to be met with resistance as your bumper begins to crush the other car.  Quickly you shift into drive and begin driving forward, but the damage is already done.  

What does this case look like?  Well you could call the police.  They can come out and investigate the crash and file a report, or you could simply exchange information with the other driver and file the report yourself.  Whatever case you choose, make sure that you file the report within 24 hours of the accident. 

How to File

When it comes to filing, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, ask yourself where the collision occurred.  What city did the accident happen in?  That will determine which police station you need to file your report with.  

The next thing you need to do is go to their website.  We will use the Tulsa police station as an example today.  Start by going to their website. 

Then you will see a place to start an online application.  In this case, it says “START HERE”.  Click that link and then begin filling out the information. 

Tulsa American Auto Body and Collision

American Auto Body and Collision is a Tulsa based company dedicated to helping you.  We are a small auto body shop with professional collision repair tools and excellent service.  The whole point of getting your car serviced after a collision is to restore it.  We do expert painter and auto body work.  For more information about our service or to see some of our work, call us at 539-367-3564 or email us at info@americanabac.com.  Make sure to ask about our free car collision repair estimates.  Don’t live another second with your car the way it is.  We can get you in and out in no time.  For more posts like this one check here.

Schedule an Estimate

Please fill out the following informational form.  We are excited to speak with you about your auto body or collision repair needs.  As soon as you finish filling out the form, one of our representatives will contact you directly. We will schedule an appointment where our technicians can inspect your vehicle.  We pride ourselves in fast turnaround times and quality service.  Bring freedom back to your driving experience by calling American Auto Body & Collision at (918) 323-4909 or email us at info@americanabac.com with any questions you may have.

What you should bring

After you fill out the contact & collision information form, one of our representatives here at American Auto Body and Collision will be in contact with you. Our vehicle inspections take a few minutes.  We want to provide you with the best possible service.  Help us do that by arriving on time and ready to point out any specific concerns you may have about your vehicle.  

Bring...

  • Insurance Information
  • Your Damaged Vehicle
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