CAR ACCIDENTS INFORMATION FOR OHIO RESIDENTS
What must I do if I am involved in an auto accident as a driver?
Any time a motor vehicle you are operating is involved in a collision on a public road in Ohio, the laws require you to do the following:
- Stop your car immediately.
- Give your name, address, and (if you are not the owner of the vehicle) the owner, and the registration number of the vehicle to any person injured, the occupant, owner, or attendant of any damaged motor vehicle, and a police officer at the scene of the accident.
If an injured person is not able to understand and record the required information, you must notify the nearest police authority. You must remain at the scene of the car accident until a police officer arrives unless you are taken away by an emergency vehicle.
If you collide with an unoccupied motor vehicle, you must attach the required information firmly to the motor vehicle, in a conspicuous place.
If you are involved in a car accident on public or private property other than a public road, you must give the required information, upon request, to any person injured, and to the owner of the damaged property. You must show your operator's or chauffeur's license. If you do not give the information to the owner or person in charge of the damaged property, you must then notify the police department of the city or village in which the accident occurred, or if it occurred outside the city or village limits, to the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred, within 24 hours. The police agency must be told the date, time, and location of the accident in addition to the required information.
Under the Ohio Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a car accident which results in the personal injury or death of a person or damage to property totaling $400 or more must report the car accident to the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles. This report must be made within 30 days and must be made whether or not you are at fault. Report forms may be obtained from the police or Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
WARNING: Failure to file this report could result in an automatic and indefinite suspension of your driver's license without notice.
(Remember: No one may force you to give opinions of the cause of the accident, either on the scene or at the police station. No one can force you to admit blame. You have a right to see a lawyer before making any statement.)
Helpful tips for drivers.
If possible, do not move your car until the police arrive. Do not, however, leave your vehicle on a road in such a position as to create a traffic hazard that might cause another accident.
Obtain the names and addresses of the drivers of the other vehicles involved. You should also get the names and addresses of all passengers in the other vehicles and of all persons who may have been witnesses. If you cannot obtain the names and addresses of witnesses, try to obtain the license numbers of their cars.
Take notes of the circumstances of the accident. Give the position of the cars before, after, and at the time of the accident. Step off skid marks, locate the point of accident if you can, and note other structures or markings which may be relevant.
Assist the investigating officer, but do not give any opinion as to the cause of the accident unless you are absolutely sure your opinion is correct. You are not required to give any information other than that outlined earlier. This information will assist your lawyer in evaluating your personal injury case.
If there are serious personal injuries, you should attempt to make the injured person comfortable and phone for medical aid immediately. Do not move injured persons in any way that would aggravate an already serious injury. If you think you or your passengers may have suffered a personal injury as a result of the accident, then consult a doctor immediately.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you are required to appear on a traffic charge, you should obtain the advice of a lawyer.
Make no payments to other persons without legal advice, and do not hurriedly accept a settlement of a claim you may feel you have. Obtain the services of a lawyer to advise you of your legal rights and obligations.
What must I do if I witness an accident?
The law does not require you to do anything about an accident in which you are not involved. However, witnesses are often in a better position to relate the facts and circumstances surrounding an accident than the person involved.
You should offer assistance to any injured persons.
Obtain the names and addresses of the parties to the accident and other witnesses and license numbers of all vehicles near the accident.
Make notes of the circumstances of the accident. Note the position of the cars before, after, and at the time of the collision. Step off skid marks, locate the point of impact if you can, and note any other structures or markings which may be helpful.
Give your name to the police and to the parties involved in the accident. Although a very slight number of accidents result in a lawsuit, in a great majority of those that do, the parties and their attorneys find it difficult to obtain the cooperation of independent witnesses. Objective, honest testimony by independent witnesses is essential to our legal system. Often the parties and their attorneys will have no facts upon which to make a decision as to their position unless an independent witness comes forth. The lack of such help may prevent a seriously injured person from receiving just compensation or may result in the responsible person unjustly receiving compensation.
If you or someone you know in Painesville, Ohio or the surrounding Lake County, Ohio area needs the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, then contact Cannon, Stern, Aveni, & Loiacono Co., L.P.A for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We can be reached at 1-877-203-2470 or via our convenient contact form in the left column.
