How to Get an Accident Report After a Crash in Ohio
If you were hurt in a car accident in Ohio, the police likely responded to the scene. If they did, they should have created a report of the incident. This official accident report could be valuable evidence as you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Without an Ohio traffic crash report, the insurance company may refuse to pay your claim and you could have trouble showing you were not responsible for the crash.
Getting an Ohio accident report is relatively straightforward, especially with the help of an experienced attorney. To learn more about Ohio crash reports and why they are critical to recovering compensation for your injuries, contact our Akron car accident lawyer today.
What Is an Ohio Traffic Crash Report?
An Ohio crash report provides a basic account of a collision. It contains information on who was injured in the crash, the vehicles involved, and where it occurred. Crash reports are usually filled out by whatever law enforcement officer responds to the collision. However, you can also submit your own crash report if the police did not investigate the crash. Police are usually required to investigate any accident involving injuries or deaths, though.
How Do You Get Ohio Crash Reports?
The easiest way to find your Ohio traffic crash report is to use the online database provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can obtain a copy of your police accident report for free. You will need your name, the date of the crash, and some other information to find your specific report.
It can take up to six weeks for law enforcement agencies to upload a crash report to the online database. If you need your report more quickly, you might be able to request it from the local office of whatever law enforcement agency investigated the crash.
How to Read an Ohio Traffic Crash Report
An Ohio crash report contains a wide range of information about the incident, including:
- The date of the crash
- The location of the crash
- The names and contact information of everyone involved in the crash
- Any injuries or property damage resulting from the crash
- Supplemental documents, such as photos
- Any factors that may have contributed to the crash
- Statements from witnesses who saw the crash
- A diagram of how the crash occurred, according to the investigating officer
It is important to review your accident report thoroughly to make sure it is accurate. If there is any inaccurate information in the report, an attorney can help you get it amended.
Why Should You Complete a Traffic Crash Report If You Were Involved in a Car Accident?
If you were injured in an accident, the police must respond to the scene and fill out a report. Even if you were not injured, you should either call the police anyway or fill out and submit an accident report yourself.
Without an accident report from the police or yourself, you may have little hard evidence to back up your account. This can complicate the insurance claims process and prevent you from recovering the money you need for medical bills, lost wages, and daily living expenses.
Contact the Experienced Car Accident Attorneys at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law
The Ohio car accident lawyers at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law can help you obtain your police crash report and pursue the money you need after a collision. Call us today or visit our contact page for a free initial consultation.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
