Detailed Answer

Short answer: Yes — in most cases you can get a copy of the police crash report created after a motor vehicle collision in Ohio. The report is generally a public record, and you request it from the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash or, if the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated, from the Patrol.

Why this matters: your crash report documents the scene, parties, vehicle positions, cited violations, and often diagrams and initial officer observations. Insurers rely on it. If you plan to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, obtaining the report early helps you preserve evidence and spot factual or reporting errors.

What Ohio law says

Ohio’s public records law makes most government records available to the public. See Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 for the general rules on access and exemptions: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-149.43. Law enforcement agencies produce crash/traffic reports as part of their records. You have a right to request these reports, although portions may be redacted or withheld if they fall under a specific exemption (for example, certain investigatory records or sensitive personal information).

Who to contact

• If a city or county police department responded, contact that agency’s records division or the records custodian.
• If the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated, contact the Patrol. (Agency home: https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/.)
• Your insurance company can often obtain the report if you report the crash; they commonly request it from the investigating agency.

Typical process and timing

• Identify the investigating agency and give the crash date, location, and names of drivers involved (or the crash report number if you have it).
• Submit a public records request in writing if the agency requires it. Many agencies accept email, mail, or in-person requests.
• Pay any statutory fee (many agencies charge a per-page copying fee or a flat fee for certified copies).
• Turnaround varies: some agencies provide the report within days; others may take longer if they must process or redact records.

What you will get — and what might be redacted

You can generally expect to receive the standard crash report form filled out by the officer (party names, vehicle info, diagram, citations, witness names listed). You may not receive investigative supplements, interview transcripts, internal notes, or material the agency identifies as exempt under Ohio’s public-records exemptions.

If the agency withholds any document or redacts information, it should provide a written reason and cite the legal exemption. If you believe the agency improperly withheld records, ORC § 149.43 provides the path for administrative or court review.

Using the report for an insurance claim or lawsuit

• Insurance: attach the crash report to your claim submission. It supports your version of events and any damages claimed.
• If you file a lawsuit, you can subpoena additional materials (photos, officer notes, investigative supplements) during discovery if the court finds they are relevant and not exempt.
• Discrepancies between the report and your recollection are not uncommon. Photographs, witness contact info, and other documents help supplement or challenge report content.

If you can’t get what you want

If an agency denies access or redacts records you think should be public, you can:

• Ask the agency for the written denial and the specific exemption cited.
• Request an internal review or appeal the denial under ORC § 149.43.
• Consult an attorney about filing a public-records lawsuit in the appropriate court to compel disclosure.

Important limitation: medical records and other private health information are not part of a police crash report and remain protected by federal and state privacy laws (for example, HIPAA). You must get those records directly from the medical provider or via proper legal process.

Disclaimer: This information explains how the process generally works under Ohio law. It is educational only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Identify the investigating agency first — that agency controls the report. Use local police contact info or the State Highway Patrol if they handled the crash.
• Include key facts in your request: crash date, location, party names, and report number (if known) to speed processing.
• Ask whether they provide certified copies (useful for court or formal claims) and what the fee will be.
• Keep a written record of your request (email or mailed letter) so you have proof of submission and timing.
• If the report seems incorrect, document your version with photos, witness names, and your own written account dated right after the crash.
• If you plan to sue, remember discovery can compel additional materials beyond what the police release publicly.
• If the agency denies access, ask for the statute or policy they rely on and consider asking an attorney to review the denial.
• Give your insurer permission (if requested) to obtain the report directly — this often speeds claims processing.
• Preserve evidence: back up photos, video, and contact info because agencies may not retain all materials forever.