Published July 15, 2026 · By Terry W. Posey, Esq.

A crash scrambles your thinking. Adrenaline masks injuries, the other driver may be pressuring you, and traffic is flying past. Here is a clear, Ohio-specific checklist you can follow — or share with someone you love who rides or drives every day.

At the Scene

1. Stop and make the scene safe. Ohio law requires you to stop after any accident. If the vehicles are drivable and there are no serious injuries, move them out of travel lanes, then turn on your hazards.

2. Call 911. Request police and, if anyone may be hurt, medical help. In Ohio you must report a crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage. A police crash report is also the single most useful piece of early evidence in your claim — never let the other driver talk you into "handling it without insurance."

3. Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, and insurance company and policy number. Note the make and model of every vehicle involved.

4. Document everything. Use your phone: photograph vehicle damage, positions of the cars, skid marks, debris, traffic signs and signals, road and weather conditions, and any visible injuries. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses before they leave — they are almost impossible to find later.

5. Watch what you say. Be polite, but do not apologize or say the crash was your fault — even casually. Fault is a legal conclusion that depends on evidence you haven't seen yet, and Ohio's comparative negligence rule means every percentage point of blame reduces your recovery.

In the First Days

6. Get medical care immediately — even if you "feel okay." Adrenaline hides injuries. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often surface 24–72 hours later. Prompt treatment protects your health, and it also creates the medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. Gaps in treatment are the insurance company's favorite reason to deny claims.

7. Notify your own insurance company. Your policy requires prompt notice, and your own coverage (medical payments, uninsured motorist) may apply. Stick to the basic facts.

8. Do not give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement. Their adjuster may call within a day, sounding friendly and asking you to "just tell your side." You are not required to do this, and it rarely helps you. Refer them to your attorney.

9. Preserve evidence. Keep your damaged vehicle (or photograph it thoroughly before repair), save your dash-cam footage, keep receipts, and start a simple journal of your symptoms, medical visits, and missed work.

10. Don't post about the crash on social media. Insurance investigators check. A photo of you smiling at a cookout can be twisted into "evidence" that you aren't really hurt.

Know Your Deadline

In most cases, Ohio gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. That sounds like a long time — it isn't, once treatment, investigation, and negotiation are underway. Read more: How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Ohio?

When to Call a Lawyer

If anyone was injured, if fault is disputed, or if the insurance company is already pressuring you to settle, talk to an attorney before you sign anything. A quick settlement almost always favors the insurer — once you sign a release, you cannot reopen the claim, even if your injuries turn out to be much worse.

At the Law Offices of Terry W. Posey, we've handled Dayton-area car accident cases for over 30 years. The consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we win. Call 937-236-6444.