Information Recorded on Ohio Crash Reports

When anyone is in an accident in Ohio and the police respond, information regarding the crash is automatically filed with the state and on each driver’s record. Afterward, an Ohio crash report regarding the incident is available online, which you can look up and save or print. The reports you can obtain through the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) website are not official and cannot be used in court. However, these public records can give you information about an accident, when and where the accident occurred, and the conditions at the time. There are also instances in which you will need to fill out a crash report yourself.

To learn more about what to do after a collision, contact the Ohio car accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW.

Information Available on Ohio Crash Reports

Pulling a crash report from the DPS site provides you with a wealth of information about an incident, including:

• The date and time of the accident
• The location
• The type of roadway where the accident occurred including the surface, number of lanes, markings, and whether it was divided
• Whether it was a work zone, and if so, what type
• The jurisdiction of that location
• The law enforcement agency that filed the report
• The manner in which the collision occurred
• The severity of the crash (fatal, injuries, or property damage only)
• Whether one or more vehicles was involved
• The road conditions at the time of the accident
• The weather conditions at the time of the accident
• The light conditions at the time of the accident

You can obtain more personal information on an Ohio crash report, such as:

• Drivers’ names, birthdates, addresses, and phone numbers
• Any passengers and their personal information
• The vehicles’ make and model
• The vehicle identification number
• The license plate number
• The driver’s auto insurance carrier and policy number

Additionally, a crash report can offer information that helps determine liability for an accident, including:

• Whether it was a commercial vehicle, and if so, what type
• What type of license the drivers had
• Whether an alcohol or drug test was given
• Whether an alcohol or drug test was refused
• Results of an alcohol or drug test
• Whether the driver was distracted, and if so, by what
• Any tickets written

When You May Need to File a Crash Report

When the police respond to an accident and file a police report, they are responsible for creating the crash report. However, if you are hit by an uninsured driver and there is property damage costing more than $400 or any personal injuries, then you should file a crash report with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Contact Our Ohio Car Accident Lawyers

Immediately following an accident, you are probably not aware of your rights. You might know that you need to file an insurance claim, yet not understand what you can ask for and how to recover the maximum compensation possible. This can lead to an endless series of questions. What do you do if the insurer denies your claim? Do you have to accept the insurer’s first offer? Can you or do you need to sue?

For answers to your questions, contact the Ohio personal injury lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick. We understand how complex and confusing auto accidents can become when they cause significant property damage and injuries. We will investigate the accident, including reviewing the crash report, to determine liability and explain your best court of action. We will fight for you to receive a beneficial settlement or to obtain the necessary compensation through court.

Call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free consultation.