Detailed answer — what can happen and what you should do

Signed accident affidavits are formal statements that you make under oath or penalty of law. In Oklahoma, the consequences of a mistake depend on whether the error was a harmless clerical mistake, a genuine memory lapse, or an intentional falsehood.

1. Minor clerical errors or honest mistakes

If the mistake is a simple typo (wrong time by a minute, misspelled name, transposed digits) or an honest memory error, courts, insurers, and law enforcement usually treat it as minor. You can often correct these errors by submitting an amendment or an errata affidavit that explains the mistake and provides the correct information. Keep the correction in writing and, if the original was notarized, re-sign and re-notarize the amendment if requested.

2. Substantive mistakes based on faulty recollection

If you provided inaccurate facts because your memory was wrong (for example, you misremembered who had the right of way), the matter is usually handled as a credibility issue in civil cases. Parties and insurers will compare your affidavit to other evidence (photos, police crash report, witness statements, vehicle damage). Honest mistakes can reduce your credibility but are not necessarily criminal.

3. False statements made knowingly

Intentionally providing false information in an affidavit can lead to serious consequences under Oklahoma law. Knowingly making false statements in a sworn document can expose you to criminal charges (including perjury or making false statements), civil liability, and insurance fraud investigations. Prosecutors and insurance companies look for signs that a person intentionally misrepresented facts to avoid responsibility or to secure payment.

4. Insurance consequences

Insurers review affidavits when deciding liability and coverage. A mistake that appears intentional may result in denial of a claim, cancellation of coverage, or referral to fraud investigators. Even innocent errors can slow investigations and delay payments while insurers verify facts.

5. Civil-case consequences

In a lawsuit over the accident, opposing counsel will use inconsistencies between your affidavit and other evidence to challenge your credibility. Repeated or significant discrepancies can weaken your case or support a finding against you at trial. Courts may allow you to explain or correct honest errors; intentional misstatements can lead to sanctions or an adverse inference.

6. Correcting a signed affidavit in Oklahoma — practical steps

1. Act quickly. As soon as you notice the mistake, document it and gather evidence that supports the correct version (photos, messages, GPS data, repair bills).
2. Contact the recipient. Notify your insurance company, the opposing party’s insurer, and any attorney involved that you need to correct the affidavit. If the affidavit was filed with a court, contact the clerk about filing an amended affidavit or errata.
3. Prepare a written correction. Create a short, clear statement describing the mistake, the correct facts, and why the error occurred. Sign and date it. If the original was notarized, follow the same notarization process for the correction if requested.
4. Keep originals and copies. Preserve the original affidavit, the correction, and proof of delivery (certified mail or email receipts).
5. Consider getting legal help. If the mistake could affect liability, coverage, or expose you to criminal allegations, consult an Oklahoma attorney promptly.

7. When criminal or fraud allegations arise

If you receive notice of a criminal investigation or an insurance-fraud inquiry, stop communicating about the facts beyond giving basic information. Contact an attorney immediately. An attorney can advise you on how to respond to investigators and how to correct the record without creating further exposure.

8. Where Oklahoma law applies and where to look for rules

Oklahoma’s statutes and court rules govern perjury, false statements, and how courts handle sworn corrections. For general access to Oklahoma statutes, see the Oklahoma Legislature’s statutes page: https://www.oklegislature.gov/osstatuestitle.html. For agency-specific rules (insurance or driver reports), check the Oklahoma Insurance Department and Oklahoma Department of Public Safety:

• Oklahoma Insurance Department: https://www.oid.ok.gov/
• Oklahoma Department of Public Safety: https://www.ok.gov/odps/

These resources can help you find the exact statutes or administrative rules that apply to sworn statements, crash reports, and insurance claims in Oklahoma.

Helpful Hints

• Don’t ignore the mistake — fixing it early reduces risk.
• Distinguish clerical errors (easy to fix) from intentional misstatements (potentially criminal).
• Make corrections in writing and deliver them to every party who received the original affidavit.
• Preserve supporting evidence (photos, texts, GPS) showing the correct facts or explaining the error.
• If a document was notarized, be prepared to re-notarize the correction if required.
• Tell your insurer about corrections promptly — failing to disclose changes can complicate coverage.
• If there is any hint of a fraud investigation or criminal exposure, consult an attorney before giving statements to investigators.
• Use simple, factual language in corrections. Avoid speculation or blaming others without evidence.