Ohio Car Accident Reports

You can get a copy of your crash report at AccidentReports.com by filling out the form on this page and submitting your accident information for assistance, or you can get a copy of your traffic report through the ODPS.If your collision took place in Ohio, the Columbus Division of Police will submit electronic crash reports to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, also referred to as ODPS. A collision report is available on the Ohio Department of Public Safety website once the report has been processed and accepted. A hard copy of the collision report will not be available from the ODPS for several weeks after it has been submitted.

Request Copies of Accident Reports Online 

You can request a copy of the OH-1 Crash Report Form from the ODPS website or the Columbus Division of Police. The Columbus Division of Police can process an electronic accident report request online after you have filled out the online Records Request Form.

Collision Report Requests By Fax 

You can send in a written request for a copy of the OH-1 Crash Report Form and fax it to the Columbus Police Records Section at:(614) 645-4001.

If you filed an accident report with another police agency in the Columbus Metro area, you must contact that agency to receive a copy of your Ohio crash report.

In an Ohio accident report, law enforcement officers will include the following accident details:

• Date, location, and time of the accident
• The name and badge number of the law enforcement officers
• Full name and contact information for all parties involved
• VIN and license plate numbers
• Vehicle registration information
• Insurance company information
• Information concerning any citations issued for an aggressive driver, impaired driver, drugged driver, etc.
• Description of property damage and/or personal injuries
• Crash narrative that includes who the Columbus Police Officers believe is responsible for the accident
• Types of vehicles involved, such as passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles
• Notes concerning anything that may have contributed to the accident such as debris on the road, vehicle traffic, or broken or missing traffic signs
• Accident type (head-on, rollover, motorcycle, semi-truck, pedestrian, drunk driving, etc.)
• Any arrests made or citations issued (speeding, reckless driving, DUI, DWI, etc.)

Ohio crash reports online will have a fee of $0.50 per page. Fees are payable by certified checks, money orders, or cash. Money orders and checks must be made payable to the City of Columbus Treasurer Police. Personal checks are not accepted at this time.

Law enforcement officers will typically file a report within seventy-two hours after the collision took place. Requests for reports are processed five to seven business days after the accident. However, the availability of records can also depend on the circumstances of the collision. Law enforcement officers will not immediately file an official report if the crash involved a crime, fatality, serious injuries, or there is an active investigation. In these cases, your report may not be available for several weeks or months.Requests for reports are processed in the order they are received. You may not receive your report for ten to fifteen days, depending on the number of report requests that are processed at that time.If it has been more than ten business days, contact your local law enforcement agency or the Columbus Division of Police at:Service Desk: (614) 645-4760

If your accident took place on a highway or another area that is out of the local police department’s jurisdiction and an Ohio State Trooper filled out the crash report, you must contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol to receive a copy of your OH-1 Form.The Ohio State Highway Patrol processes report requests as they’re received. You can request a copy of your report in person or request the official documents by mail.The Ohio State Highway Patrol is located at:Ohio State Highway PatrolWilliams Memorial Park 950 Rombach AveWilmington, OH45177

Following a traffic accident, a police officer will put together an Ohio accident report that describes where the accident occurred, what happened, whether someone received a citation, and other important information, such as who the police officer believes was responsible for the accident. If there were any witnesses to the collision, their names may be listed, in addition to their statements. Needless to say, if you plan to pursue an insurance claim for compensation or you’re involved in a personal injury lawsuit, you need to obtain a copy of your crash report.

Filing an Insurance Claim 

The information found in a traffic collision report can help prove the other driver or drivers involved were liable for the auto accident. A personal injury lawyer will use the information in the police report to negotiate a fair settlement that can include compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and other damages.

DWI, DUI, & Other Criminal Charges 

If you were involved in a drunk driving accident, the police report will include information regarding the other motorist’s arrest and criminal charges. The other driver’s criminal case is separate from your civil case for compensation. A personal injury attorney will use the accident report, in addition to other evidence, such as the driver’s DWI or DUI charges, breath test results, and more, to help you recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.