Ohio · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Ohio: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

Stop and give your name, address and plate number (and the owner's name and address if you are not the owner) to anyone hurt, the driver or owner of any damaged vehicle, and any police officer at the scene. No required driver crash report to the state.

Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
Ohio Rev. Code § 4549.02

When to call the police in Ohio

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
Stop and give your name, address and plate number (and the owner's name and address if you are not the owner) to anyone hurt, the driver or owner of any damaged vehicle, and any police officer at the scene. If an injured person cannot understand and record that information, call the nearest police and stay until an officer arrives (unless an ambulance or emergency vehicle takes you away). Ohio law sets no dollar threshold for calling police. If you hit an unattended car, securely attach a written note with your name and address (and the owner's, if you are not the owner) and the vehicle's registration number in a place where it will be seen (Ohio Rev. Code § 4549.02(A)(3)).
Law
Ohio Rev. Code § 4549.02; § 4509.06
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Ohio

Your own report
No required driver crash report to the state. If you think the other driver was uninsured, you may send a written report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within six months; the BMV then demands proof of insurance from that driver.

How to get a copy of the crash report in Ohio

  • Search the Ohio Department of Public Safety Crash Retrieval system by crash number or document number (or advanced search) at https://ohtrafficdata.dps.ohio.gov/CrashRetrieval.
  • You can also ask the police agency that took the report.
  • The portal does not state a fee.

Ohio has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

More facts for Ohio

  • Since September 30, 2025, any person involved in the crash, including an injured person or owner of damaged property, may file the uninsured-driver report with the BMV, not just a driver (ORC § 4509.06, as amended by HB 96).

Recent changes in Ohio

  • Under § 4509.06, any person involved in the crash (driver, owner of damaged property, injured person) may now send the uninsured-driver report to the BMV within six months; before, only a driver could.

Step by step after a crash in Ohio

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Ohio law requires it. Stop and give your name, address and plate number (and the owner's name and address if you are not the owner) to anyone hurt, the driver or owner of any damaged vehicle, and any police officer at the scene.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. No required driver crash report to the state.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Search the Ohio Department of Public Safety Crash Retrieval system by crash number or document number (or advanced search) at https://ohtrafficdata.dps.ohio.gov/CrashRetrieval.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Ohio

Questions about reporting a crash in Ohio

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Ohio?

Stop and give your name, address and plate number (and the owner's name and address if you are not the owner) to anyone hurt, the driver or owner of any damaged vehicle, and any police officer at the scene. If an injured person cannot understand and record that information, call the nearest police and stay until an officer arrives (unless an ambulance or emergency vehicle takes you away). Ohio law sets no dollar threshold for calling police. If you hit an unattended car, securely attach a written note with your name and address (and the owner's, if you are not the owner) and the vehicle's registration number in a place where it will be seen (Ohio Rev. Code § 4549.02(A)(3)).

Do I have to file my own accident report in Ohio?

No required driver crash report to the state. If you think the other driver was uninsured, you may send a written report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within six months; the BMV then demands proof of insurance from that driver.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Ohio?

Search the Ohio Department of Public Safety Crash Retrieval system by crash number or document number (or advanced search) at https://ohtrafficdata.dps.ohio.gov/CrashRetrieval. You can also ask the police agency that took the report. The portal does not state a fee.

More for Ohio drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.