A car accident can be disorienting, even when the damage seems minor. What you do in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can meaningfully affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation if the crash wasn't your fault.
1. Prioritize Safety and Medical Attention
If you're able, move to a safe location and call 911. Some injuries — particularly soft tissue injuries and concussions — don't show symptoms right away. Getting checked out promptly creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the accident, which matters if you later pursue a claim.
2. Document the Scene
If it's safe to do so, take photos of vehicle damage, the accident location, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get contact and insurance information from other drivers, and note the names and badge numbers of responding officers.
3. Get a Copy of the Police Report
The responding officer's report often becomes an important piece of evidence. You can typically request a copy from the local police department or Ohio's online crash report portal a few days after the accident.
4. Be Careful With Insurance Communications
You'll likely hear from your own insurer and possibly the other driver's insurer soon after the accident. It's fine to report the accident to your own insurance company, but be cautious about giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer or accepting an early settlement offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
5. Keep Track of Expenses and Missed Work
Save medical bills, repair estimates, and records of any time missed from work. These documents help establish the full financial impact of the accident.
6. Understand Ohio's Filing Deadline
Ohio generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, though certain circumstances can shorten or extend this window. Waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation at all.
7. Talk to an Attorney Before Settling
Insurance companies are businesses, and early settlement offers don't always reflect the true value of a claim, especially before you know the full extent of your medical treatment. An attorney can review the offer, evaluate your damages, and negotiate on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Columbiana or Mahoning County, Ohio, Hancock County, West Virginia, or the surrounding tri-state area, Stowers Law Office LLC is available to review your situation and explain your options.