What to do after a car accident in Ohio
Every rule below is quoted from Ohio law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Ohio is an at-fault state. The driver who causes a crash, or that driver's liability insurance, is responsible for paying the other driver's injuries and damage. A driver in a crash must stop right away and give their name, address and vehicle registration to the other driver, any injured person, and police if an officer is present. On private property or land that is not a public road, if that information was not given at the scene, the driver must report it to the police department within 24 hours. You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Ohio.
Deadlines in Ohio
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesR.C. 2305.10(A)
- 2 years
- to sue for car or property damageR.C. 2305.10(A)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathR.C. 2125.02(F)(1)
- 2 years
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedR.C. 2744.04(A)
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash must stop immediately at the scene and give their name, address and vehicle registration number to the other driver, any injured person, or a police officer.
“the operator of the motor vehicle, having knowledge of the accident or collision, immediately shall stop the operator's motor vehicle at the scene”
When you must call the police
A driver in a crash must stop right away and give their name, address and vehicle registration to the other driver, any injured person, and police if an officer is present. On private property or land that is not a public road, if that information was not given at the scene, the driver must report it to the police department within 24 hours.
“the operator shall give that information, within twenty-four hours after the accident or collision, to the police department”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
Ohio does not require drivers to file a general written crash report with the BMV. Investigating police file the official state crash report. The one BMV form available to drivers, form BMV 3303, is only to seek suspension of another driver's license when that other driver was uninsured, and only if damage is over $400 or injury exceeds $500 in value, filed within 6 months.
“The owner or driver (or insurance company representative) of an insured vehicle that is involved in an accident with an uninsured vehicle may file this report with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)... Damage must exceed $400 and an itemized estimate or bill included, or personal injury exceeding $500.”
Getting a copy of the crash report
Crash reports can be searched and requested online through the Ohio Crash System using a crash number, document number, or a date range and county search. The website does not list a fee, but a report can take up to 6 weeks to become available after the crash.
“Crash reports may take up to 6 weeks to be available on this website.”
Who pays for the damage
Ohio is an at-fault state. The driver who causes a crash, or that driver's liability insurance, is responsible for paying the other driver's injuries and damage.
“The FR law requires each Ohio driver to demonstrate an ability to pay for injuries to other people or damages to other people's property if the driver causes an accident.”
Insurance rules in Ohio
What insurance every driver must carry
Ohio drivers must carry at least $25,000 in liability coverage for one injured person, $50,000 total per accident if more than one person is hurt, and $25,000 for property damage.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident... Fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident... Twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to property of others in any one accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Ohio does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance. Only liability insurance covering injuries and damage you cause to others is required.
“(1) Twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident”
If the other driver has no insurance
Insurance companies in Ohio are allowed to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but Ohio law does not require them to include it or offer it in every policy.
“may, but is not required to, include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, or both”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Ohio Department of Insurance online through its consumer complaint form.
“If you are a pharmacy wishing to file a complaint regarding a pharmacy benefits manager, please use our PBM Complaints Form”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 2 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in Ohio.
“an action based on a product liability claim and an action for bodily injury or injuring personal property shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 2 years to sue over vehicle or property damage from a car crash in Ohio.
“an action based on a product liability claim and an action for bodily injury or injuring personal property shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
Families have 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio.
“a civil action for wrongful death shall be commenced within two years after the decedent's death”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a city, county or other local government vehicle or road is involved, you generally have 2 years to sue the local government, the same as an ordinary injury or property claim. Claims against the state of Ohio itself go to the Ohio Court of Claims, also within 2 years.
“An action against a political subdivision to recover damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property... shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Ohio Financial Responsibility Law, R.C. 4509
- R.C. 4509.51(B); Ohio Financial Responsibility Law
- R.C. 2315.33
- R.C. 2305.10(A)
- R.C. 2125.02(F)(1)
- R.C. 2744.04(A)
- R.C. 4549.02(A); R.C. 4549.021(A)(2)
- R.C. 4509.06; BMV Form 3303
- R.C. 3937.18(A)
- R.C. 4549.02(A)(1)
- Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Crash System
- Ohio Department of Insurance Consumer Complaint Form
- R.C. 4705.15(B)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.