What to Do After a Car Accident in Ohio: Step-by-Step Checklist (2026)

# What to Do After a Car Accident in Ohio: Your Complete Checklist

> **QUICK SUMMARY — After an accident in Ohio:**
> 1. Check for injuries and call 911
> 2. Move to safety
> 3. Exchange information — do not admit fault
> 4. Document the scene
> 5. File BMV 2367 within **6 days** ($1,000+ damage)
> 6. Notify your insurance company
> 7. Seek medical attention

**Ohio-specific:** The **6-day reporting deadline** is one of the strictest in the country. Do not wait.

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## Step 1 — Check for Injuries and Call 911

– Check yourself and passengers
– Call 911 if anyone is hurt
– Do not move seriously injured people unless immediate danger
– Ohio law requires stopping and rendering aid

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## Step 2 — Move to Safety

– Move vehicles to the shoulder if safe and drivable
– Turn on hazard lights
– Stay out of traffic lanes

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## Step 3 — Exchange Information

Collect from the other driver:
– Full name, contact info, driver’s license number
– Insurance company and policy number
– License plate number, vehicle details

Get witness names and phone numbers.

**Do not admit fault.** Under Ohio’s 51% bar, being assigned majority fault eliminates your claim.

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## Step 4 — Document Everything

– Photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles
– Road conditions, traffic signs, signals, skid marks
– License plates, weather conditions
– Your injuries
– **Note if either driver was using a phone** — Ohio’s 2023 distracted driving law (SB 288) makes handheld use a primary offense

Write down time, date, location, and your account.

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## Step 5 — File the BMV 2367 Report

### Deadline: 6 DAYS

File **BMV form 2367** with the Ohio BMV if:
– Property damage exceeds **$1,000**
– Anyone is injured or killed

**Ohio’s 6-day deadline is one of the strictest.** File as soon as possible.

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## Step 6 — Notify Your Insurance Company

– Contact your insurer promptly
– Stick to facts
– Ohio is a **fault state** — the at-fault driver’s insurance pays
– If you have UM/UIM coverage, it protects against uninsured drivers

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## Step 7 — Seek Medical Attention

– See a doctor even if you feel fine
– Delayed injuries: whiplash, concussions, internal injuries
– Medical records link injuries to the accident

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## Your Rights Under Ohio Law

– **Fault state** — at-fault driver pays
– **Modified 51% bar** — at 51%+ fault, you recover nothing
– **Statute of limitations:** 2 years PI, 4 years PD
– **Minimum insurance:** 25/50/25 (increased in 2022)
– **Distracted driving:** Handheld phone use is a primary offense (2023)

Full guide: [Ohio Car Accident Laws](/ohio/car-accident-laws/)

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## What NOT to Do

– Do not leave the scene
– Do not admit fault
– Do not miss the **6-day** BMV reporting deadline
– Do not use your phone while driving — primary offense in Ohio
– Do not post on social media
– Do not accept the first settlement offer
– Do not skip medical treatment

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### How long do I have to file the BMV report?
**6 days** — one of the strictest deadlines in the country.

### When did Ohio increase its insurance minimums?
**March 2022** under SB 134. Minimums doubled from 12.5/25/7.5 to 25/50/25.

### How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
**2 years** for personal injury, **4 years** for property damage.

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## Related Guides

– [How to File an Insurance Claim in Ohio](/ohio/insurance-claim/)
– [Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Ohio?](/ohio/do-i-need-a-lawyer/)
– [Ohio Car Accident Laws](/ohio/car-accident-laws/)

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**DISCLAIMER:** This website is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general educational information only. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. This is not medical advice. If you have been injured, seek immediate medical attention. Last updated: March 2026.