Car Accident FAQs

Whether you were rear-ended on I-90 or sideswiped in Ohio City, a car crash raises urgent questions—about your health, your finances, and your legal rights. At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we’ve spent almost a century fighting for injured Ohioans. Below, we answer the questions we hear most often from car accident victims in our community.

If you don’t see your question answered here, we’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Your first priority is safety. Move your vehicle out of traffic if it is safe to do so, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911. From there:

Exchange information with all other drivers: names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
Document the scene by taking photos and videos of all vehicle damage, road and weather conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
Collect witness information—names and contact details from anyone who saw the crash.
Notify your own insurance company as soon as possible.
Seek medical evaluation, even if you feel fine. Some injuries aren’t obvious, and your medical records will be critical for both your insurance claim and any future legal case.

Do I need to file a police report after my crash?

Under Ohio law, you are required to report an accident if it results in:

Injury
Death
Property damage exceeding $1,000

Given how quickly vehicle damage costs add up, nearly every collision warrants a call to police. If the police don’t show up and take a report at the scene, report the crash in person at a local police department.

How do I obtain a copy of my crash report?

Ohioans can request crash reports through the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s crash portal. Be aware that it may take several weeks for a report to appear in the online system.

In addition, if you are in Cleveland, you can request a copy of the report in person by visiting the third floor of the Justice Center at 1300 Ontario St. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where should I go for medical treatment after a car accident in Cleveland?

Cleveland has strong trauma care options for serious or life-threatening injuries:

MetroHealth Medical Center: Offers a Level I Trauma and Burn Center, providing the highest level of critical care
UH Cleveland Medical Center: Another of the region’s Level I Trauma Centers
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital: A Level II Trauma Center
Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital: Another Level II Trauma Center and the only one on Cleveland’s West Side

For injuries that emerge in the days following a crash, visit an urgent care center or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Keep records of every medical visit—such documentation can be critical evidence for your insurance claim and any future lawsuit.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Ohio?

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the injury—whether you are a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, pedestrian, or bicyclist. For wrongful death claims, family members of the deceased also have two years from the date of the death to file.

In reality, the sooner you contact an attorney after your crash, the better. An Ohio car accident lawyer can ensure evidence gets preserved, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and negotiate on your behalf with insurance adjusters.

What is Ohio’s comparative fault rule, and how could it affect my case?

Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence system under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33—where each party in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault. Here is how it works:

If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000.
If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything at all.

Insurance adjusters know this rule well and routinely try to assign you as much blame as possible to reduce or eliminate their payout. This is one of the most important reasons to have an experienced Cleveland car accident attorney in your corner from the start.

What are Ohio’s car insurance requirements?

Ohio requires drivers to carry a minimum insurance coverage of:

$25,000 for injury/death of one person
$50,000 for injury/death of two or more people
$25,000 for property damage in an accident

These minimums can be exhausted quickly in serious injury cases, and there is another important risk to keep in mind: over 18% of Ohio drivers were uninsured in 2023, even though it is illegal. Key coverage options to consider beyond the state minimum include:

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: Protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages
Medical Payments (MedPay): Covers your medical expenses regardless of fault
Collision Coverage: Pays for your vehicle’s repairs or replacement after an accident

What can I say to an insurance company?

Do not provide a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim.

Even when speaking with your own insurance company, provide only the basic facts of the accident and let them know that you are seeking medical care. Direct the insurer to your attorney for any further communication.

What compensation can I recover?

If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:

Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future treatment costs
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or long-term
Pain and Suffering: For physical injuries and emotional distress
Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Wrongful Death Damages: If a family member was killed in the accident

The true value of a serious injury claim is rarely clear in the days after a crash. Insurance companies know this and often approach victims with quick, lowball settlement offers. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back for more—even if your injuries turn out to be far more serious than you initially thought.

What if a commercial truck or rideshare vehicle caused my accident?

Not all car accident claims are created equal. Crashes involving commercial trucks, Uber or Lyft drivers, Amazon delivery vehicles, or other company cars tend to be more legally complicated. They might involve:

Multiple potentially liable parties—the driver, their employer, a logistics company, or some combination of these
Higher insurance policy limits but also more aggressive defense teams
Federal and state regulations governing commercial vehicle operations

An experienced attorney is essential to navigating these types of cases.

Can I afford a lawyer?

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our No Fee Guarantee® means there are no upfront costs for our services—we only get paid if you get paid. You have nothing to lose by calling us, and potentially a great deal to gain.

We have the answers to your questions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Ohio, you don’t have to deal with all the legal questions on your own. At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we’ll listen to your story and help clarify your options.