Next Steps After You Receive a Crash Report in Ohio

This FAQ-style guide explains how to move a personal injury claim forward in Ohio after you obtain the official crash report. It assumes you have limited legal knowledge and walks you through practical, legally relevant steps to preserve your rights and pursue compensation. This is educational information and not legal advice.

Detailed answer — step-by-step actions to advance your personal injury claim

1. Confirm and preserve the crash report

Obtain an official copy of the police or highway patrol crash report from the agency that responded (city police, county sheriff, or the Ohio State Highway Patrol). Keep the original and make several copies (digital and printed). The report is often a critical piece of evidence because it documents parties, vehicle damage, location, officer observations, and any citations issued.

How to get the report: contact the law enforcement agency that handled the crash. Many agencies publish instructions or allow online requests. The Ohio State Highway Patrol information can be found here: https://www.ohio.gov/agency/ohio-state-highway-patrol.

2. Seek and document all medical treatment

Your health is the first priority. Get medical care right away, even for minor symptoms. Continue follow-up appointments and therapy as directed. Detailed medical records linking your injuries to the crash are vital to proving causation and damages.

• Keep all medical bills, test results, prescriptions, and provider notes.
• Track out-of-pocket expenses (medications, transportation to appointments, assistive devices).
• Write a daily pain and activity log to document how injuries affect daily life.

3. Notify your insurance company promptly

Most auto policies require prompt notice of collisions. Provide factual information but avoid admitting fault or speculating. Preserve copies of all correspondence with insurers.

4. Preserve other evidence

Collect and maintain other evidence that supports your claim:

• Photos of vehicles, injuries, skid marks, and scene (if you have them).
• Witness names and contact details (the crash report may list witnesses).
• Repair estimates, tow records, and rental car invoices.

5. Review the crash report carefully

Check the report for accuracy (names, vehicle information, location, and officer statements). If you find errors, contact the issuing agency to discuss corrections or clarifications. Take notes on any officer observations that help your version of events or that raise questions about the other driver’s conduct.

6. Quantify your damages

Organize a clear summary of your losses to present to insurers or an opposing party:

• Economic damages: medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, vehicle damage, out-of-pocket costs.
• Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life.

7. Talk to your insurance adjuster but protect your rights

Cooperate with your carrier’s investigation, but be cautious with recorded statements or quick settlement offers. Insurers often seek to limit exposure early. If an at-fault driver’s insurer contacts you, do not give a recorded statement or sign releases without legal advice.

8. Consider a demand letter or settlement negotiation

Once your medical treatment has stabilized and you can reasonably estimate total damages, prepare a written demand to the at-fault driver’s insurer. A demand typically includes: summary of the crash (and crash report copy), a medical summary, a damages spreadsheet, and a settlement figure with a deadline for response. Many claims settle at this stage without filing a lawsuit.

9. Know the filing deadline (statute of limitations)

In Ohio, most personal injury claims based on negligence must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. See Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10. Missing this deadline usually means you lose the right to sue in court, subject to limited exceptions. Count the deadline carefully and consult an attorney well before it expires.

10. File a lawsuit if negotiations fail

If the insurer refuses a reasonable settlement and the statute of limitations is approaching, you or an attorney must file a lawsuit (complaint) in the appropriate Ohio court. After filing, parties enter discovery (exchanging evidence, depositions), and the case may go to mediation or trial.

11. Consider hiring an attorney

An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your claim, calculate damages, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, file suit and litigate. Attorneys also ensure deadlines are met and preserve evidence. If you decide to consult an attorney, bring the crash report, medical records, photos, bills, and correspondence with insurers.

12. Avoid common pitfalls

• Don’t post details or photos about the crash or your injuries on social media; insurers may use them to challenge your claim.
• Don’t accept the first quick settlement offer without checking future medical needs and lost income.
• Keep all receipts and records for damages you claim.

Helpful Hints

• Get and save the crash report as soon as possible; it often contains useful contact info and officer observations.
• Medical records provide the strongest link between the crash and injuries—seek treatment quickly and follow recommendations.
• Keep a centralized file (paper or digital) with the crash report, correspondence, medical documents, bills, photos, and a timeline of events.
• If you are unsure whether the crash report accurately reflects events, make a dated written statement of your memory to preserve your version of events.
• Be mindful of Ohio’s 2-year statute of limitations for most negligence claims (R.C. 2305.10). Start the process early.
• Consider an attorney before giving recorded statements to the other side or signing releases.
• Ask for a copy of the police evidence (dash-cam, body-cam, or traffic camera footage) early; evidence may be lost or overwritten.

Resources

• Ohio Revised Code — statute of limitations for actions: R.C. 2305.10
• Ohio State Highway Patrol: obtaining reports and contacts: https://www.ohio.gov/agency/ohio-state-highway-patrol
• Ohio Revised Code searchable site: https://codes.ohio.gov

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Ohio attorney.