The "OH-1 Traffic Crash Report"
A Ohio accident or crash report is officially titled as an ‘OH-1 Traffic Crash Report’ It is used by law enforcement to record the details relating to an accident involving any type of vehicle. The details in the report are recorded by the officer who attended the scene of the accident. If a police officer did not attend your accident you have the option to file your own report with the state provided form titled ‘BMV 3303 Crash Report’ through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The report can be pretty complicated due to the fact that there are often 1000’s of circumstances and facts that are recorded about the accident details, drivers, occupants and vehicles involved. If you are looking for a very detailed explanation of the information, codes and terminology used in the Oh-1 Crash Report, the following documents can help provide a comprehensive guide:
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| Traffic Crash Procedure Manual | |
| Ohio Crash Report Form | |
| Ohio Crash Report (OH-1) Submission Structure |
3 Ways to Get A Copy Of Your Report On-Line In Ohio
1. Use MyAccident.org
MyAccident.org provides a free version of your report. This report holds all the details from the OH-1 form with the exception of personal information like the names and contact information for those involved.
2. Order Online Through Ohio Department of Public Safety
To request your crash report online from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, you will need to provide information about the accident and specific driver or vehicle involved in the crash. It is important to note that crash reports provided on this website are not official documents. To obtain the official report, contact the agency that investigated the crash.
3. Other Data Sites like LexisNexis or CrashDocs
These can be a good reliable source of data. However the sites can be difficult to use and do not have all the Police Agencies in Ohio. (sometimes less than 50%)
Ohio Accident Reports - FAQ
What happens when a police report is made?When an individual is involved in a motor vehicle crash and a police report is made, all parties listed on the report have an entry of the crash placed on their driving records. When the entry is placed on the record, no points are assessed and it does not specify who was at fault. |
When do I need to file an Ohio Crash Report?The report must be filed within six months of the accident, and the accident must have caused personal injuries or property damage in excess of $400. |
How long does it take for an Ohio crash report to be filed?It can take up to seven days from the date of the crash for the report to be filed. Also, please be aware some crashes require additional investigation beyond the initial report. Additional information resulting from these investigations may not be available until such investigations are complete. |
Do you need car insurance in Ohio?In Ohio, drivers are required to carry liability car insurance that helps pay for any injured or property damage as a result of a car accident. It is against the law to drive a motor vehicle of any sort without the necessary insurance or proof of financial responsibility. Ohio requires drivers to purchase a policy that meets the state mandated minimum amount of insurance. This includes:
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What is a traffic collision?A traffic collision occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, death, and property damage. |
How many people get hurt in traffic collisions?In the United States, 5 people are injured in a traffic collision every minute and somebody dies every 14 minutes! |