How to Read Your Ohio Traffic Crash Report
You have rights after an auto accident. Make sure you protect them. Contact us.
If a police officer responds to your car accident in Ohio, you will have an official Ohio Traffic Crash Report completed by that officer. This 6-page-long document contains important information about your crash. That's why it's critical that you verify the facts in this document.
If the information in your crash report differs from what actually happened, you could have a hard time getting the money you rightfully deserve for your crash. That's why our attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm frequently meet with accident victims to review their crash report.
Learn what your crash report means. Read our online guide below, and contact us as soon as possible. We offer a free case evaluation to all potential clients. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Call (888) 325-3452 and meet with us.
Page 1
Every detail matters. That's why it's critical that you carefully review every single line in your official crash report. The top section of Page 1 features basic information such as accident location, road, weather, and light conditions, and first harmful event.
The bottom of the page is where the responding officer - usually the local police or Ohio State Troopers, write the crash "narrative." This is how the accident happened according to the officer's investigation. There is room for a written explanation as well as a diagram. The name of the officer and time they spent responding to the incident is also here.
Page 2
This page is dedicated to the vehicles involved in the crash. On the left side, it includes information like make, model, color, cargo body, function (taxi, Uber, bus, commercial truck, etc.), vehicle defects, and weight, among other details.
On the right side is a drawn diagram where an officer can indicate the point of impact as well as scale and areas of damage to the vehicle or pedestrian
The bottom of the page describes the sequence of events that contributed to the accident and what the traffic was like at the time of impact.
Page 3
Here is where you will find information about the people involved in the crash including drivers and, in cases of pedestrians and cyclists, people who were involved outside of the vehicle. There is identifying information about the people as well as type and extent of injuries sustained, whether the person was transported to a hospital for emergency medical care, and drug and/or alcohol tests.
Page 4
This page identifies vehicle occupants involved, their positions in the crash, and injuries.
Crash witnesses and contact information is listed at the bottom of the page.
Click here for a printable version.