Ohio Car Crash Reports: How to Get Yours and What to Do With It

After a car accident, your to-do list gets very long very quickly. However, one of the first steps you should take is securing a traffic crash report. Whether you get a copy from the local police department, the State Highway Patrol, or the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), this document includes valuable evidence and information you’ll need if you plan on filing a claim against the at-fault party.

Feeling overwhelmed by your next steps and unsure of how to protect your rights throughout this process? Schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer now by calling Crandall & Pera Law, LLC.

What is an Ohio traffic crash report?

An Ohio traffic crash report is an official document drafted by the law enforcement officer who responds to the scene of a collision. Depending on where the accident occurs and which department has jurisdiction, agencies that may write your report include:

• A city police department
• A county sheriff’s office
• Ohio State Highway Patrol

The report includes critical information about the collision that you’ll need as you navigate your personal injury claim. It includes:

• The date, time, and location of the accident
• The drivers and vehicles involved
• Road and weather conditions
• Statements from drivers and eyewitnesses
• The officer’s observations
• Any citations given out as a result of the accident

This may seem like routine paperwork generated after a car accident, but it’s often one of the most important pieces of evidence in an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit.

When is a crash report created in Ohio?

Not all Ohio car accidents result in the completion of a crash report. Typically, accident reports are created when someone is injured, someone is killed, or property damage exceeds a specific threshold.

If police aren’t called to the scene of an accident, you may still have to report the accident yourself. But when you self-report an accident, the report may not carry the same weight with insurance companies as an officer-prepared report. That’s why, if you’re unsure whether or not to call the police for a car accident, you may want to err on the side of caution and call them regardless.

How to get a police report for a car accident in Ohio

Wondering how to get a police report for a car accident in Ohio? There are several ways you may request a copy of the report, depending on who handled your case.

If your accident was handled by city police, which is typically the case when your accident happens within city limits and not on a state highway, you can often reach out to the city’s police department directly to ask for a copy. Many cities’ departments make it easy to request copies over the phone or online; for example, the Columbus Division of Police provides multiple ways for involved parties to get reports.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol may have responded to your collision, particularly if your accident happened on a state route or interstate. They allow you to retrieve a crash report without ever having to interact with someone. If you have your crash number or document number, that allows you to pull up the report automatically. You may also narrow it down by date, county, responding law enforcement agency, and last name.

Finally, the Ohio Department of Public Safety maintains a database of unofficial crash reports provided to their agency for a period of five full years. However, note that unofficial crash reports may not necessarily be accepted by your insurance provider, so you may have to reach out to the law enforcement agency directly anyway.

How long does it take to get a police report?

The good news is that Ohio law enforcement agencies are generally very quick about filing crash reports and making them available to involved parties. In many cases, Ohio crash reports are available in a few days to one week after an accident. Timing varies, though, so you may want to ask the responding officer before they leave the scene. Factors that may influence your timeline include the severity of the crash, the agency handling the report and their current backlog, and whether there is an ongoing investigation regarding the collision.

Reports for accidents resulting in severe injuries or fatalities may take longer, due to the extra work needed to generate these reports.

What your report includes and why it matters

After you get your copy of the report, spend a few minutes reviewing it carefully. Key information included in your report includes:

• Driver and vehicle information, which makes it easier for your insurance company to reach out to the other driver’s insurance provider
• Witness statements that may support your version of events
• An accident diagram that can be especially helpful for insurance adjusters who are unfamiliar with your city
• The officer’s narrative, which provides an overview of what happened
• Fault indicators and citations that may help with preliminary decisions regarding liability

What to do if your crash report has errors

Crash reports aren’t infallible. Whether an officer misinterpreted something at the scene or made an error while drafting the report later, mistakes do happen. Common errors include:

• Incorrect driver statements
• Missing witnesses
• Incomplete or inaccurate diagrams
• Misinterpretation of the accident itself
• Missing or inaccurate citations

If you find an issue while reviewing your accident report, you should reach out directly to the agency that prepared the report as soon as possible. Provide the relevant documentation or evidence to back up your claim and request that the agency review the report and make any appropriate corrections or supplements.

Start your car accident claim with Crandall & Pera Law, LLC

When you’re ready to seek justice after an Ohio car accident, the team at Crandall & Pera Law, LLC is here to help. Schedule a time to meet with one of our experienced car accident attorneys by getting in touch online or by giving us a call.