In the first three days after a crash, focus on three things: get medical care, preserve evidence, and be careful what you tell insurers. Those early steps shape almost every injury claim that follows, and most of them cost nothing.
What should you do before you leave the scene?
If you can move safely, the first hour is about safety and a few facts that disappear quickly. Call 911 even when the crash seems minor, because a police report is the document every insurer asks for first. Then take the photos you will not be able to take tomorrow.
- 01
Call 911 and ask for a report number
The report names the drivers, their insurers and any early findings about fault.
- 02
Photograph everything at wide and close range
Vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, the weather and your visible injuries.
- 03
Collect names, not opinions
Get witness names and numbers. Avoid debating fault with the other driver.
- 04
Look for cameras
Note any businesses or doorbells facing the intersection. Many systems overwrite footage within days.
Do you need a doctor if you feel fine?
Yes. Adrenaline hides pain, and neck, back and head injuries often show up a day or two later. A gap between the crash and your first visit gives an insurer room to argue the injury came from something else. Urgent care or your own doctor is fine. Describe every symptom, even the small ones, and keep every record.
The file an insurer builds in the first week is the one it relies on for months. Your file should start just as early.
What should you say, and not say, to the insurance companies?
Fine to do
- Report the crash to your own insurer promptly
- Give the basic facts: where, when, who
- Ask for your claim number in writing
- Keep a log of every call
Wait until you have advice
- Give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement
- Guess about your injuries or speed
- Sign a medical records release with no limits
- Accept a quick settlement check
Which documents will your claim need later?
| Document | Why it matters | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Police report | Identifies drivers, insurers and early fault findings | The responding agency |
| Medical records and bills | Connect the injury to the crash and show its cost | Every provider you see |
| Pay stubs or employer letter | Show income lost while you recover | Your employer |
| Photos and repair estimate | Show the force of the impact | You and the body shop |
General guidance. Your own case may need more.
How long do you have to bring a claim in Ohio?
- 2 yrtypical Ohio filing deadline for injury claims
- 24 to 72 hrthe window to see a medical provider
- Dayshow long many cameras keep footage
General information, not legal advice. Claims against public bodies can have shorter limits.
Questions readers ask
Usually not. You can decline politely and speak with a lawyer first. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with your insurer, which is different.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Check the declarations page of your policy or send it to us to read.
Ohio uses comparative fault. You can still recover if you were less at fault than the other side, but the amount is reduced by your share.
Not with us. The first consultation is free, and injury cases are usually handled on a contingency fee explained in writing.
Marcus Reyes, Partner. Marcus represents people hurt in crashes and falls. He builds each claim around clear documentation and steady communication with the client.
Read Marcus's profileThis article is general information about Ohio law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
