Cincinnati, OH I-75 Car Accident Guide

No matter where it takes place, knowing what you should and should not do after you are injured in a car accident will help if you ever decide to seek financial compensation. The Ohio Department of Public Safety has reported that, after reaching a record low in 2013, vehicular deaths are rising once again. In 2014, there were 1,008 car accident-related fatalities, and 1,057 in 2015. In that same year, more than 75,100 injury-causing accidents took place, and more than 200 accidents in which only property damage occurred.  

In 2014, Cincinnati was listed in the top three Ohio cities with the highest rate of motor vehicle accidents. If you were involved in a Cincinnati, OH car accident, the police probably reported to the scene, conducted an investigation, and filed a report, which will be an important part of your injury claim against the at-fault party.

If you are considering taking legal action after a car accident, an Ohio Interstate 75 car accident attorney will be able to answer any questions you may have, like how is fault determined and how much your claim could be worth. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn what we can do for you. 

Am I Required to Report My Cincinnati Car Accident?

Under most circumstances, yes, you are. You are required to file an accident report with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles when you are involved in a car accident in Ohio and any of the following apply:  

• Someone was injured or killed
• Property damage of $1000 or more took place
• The driver or owner of the other vehicle is uninsured or underinsured

If any of these applies to you or the other driver, an accident report has to be filed by law no later than six months after the incident.  

How Do I Get a Copy of My Cincinnati Accident Report?  

To purchase a copy of your Cincinnati car accident report, you will have to provide as many details as you possibly can. This will allow the department to easily locate the right accident report.

Unlike some of the other states, Ohio does not require car accident report requests to be put in writing, nor do you need to make known your reason for the request. You just need to make sure you provide your contact information when you submit a request, since an agent might need to reach out to you with additional questions.

Only once a Cincinnati car accident report has been evaluated and authorized will it be available for purchase. If your accident took place just a couple of days ago, you will need to wait a little while before requesting any copies.  

How to Pick Up Your Cincinnati Car Accident Report in Person

If you wish to pick up a copy of your car accident report in person, you will have to fill out Public Records Request form F29 and drop it off at the Police Records Section during operating hours.

How to Get Your Report Through the Mail

If you would like your Cincinnati accident report to be mailed to you, just download and print the same F29 Public Records Request form mentioned above. The form has a section where you can indicate that you would like the selected documents to be sent by post.  

How to Order Your Report Online

Cincinnati also has an online request form you can use to request a copy of your Cincinnati car accident report. All required fields must be completed, and you will need to indicate your preferred method of delivery: post, email, or in-person pickup. 

Keep in mind that not every Cincinnati car accident report will be available in an electronic format. If you happen to still have a fax number, you can include that in your request as well. If the records department is unable to send your car accident report via electronic means, you will have to have it mailed or go collect it in person. 

If you would rather not fill out a form, you may also email your request for a copy of your Cincinnati car accident report to cpdrecords@cincinnati-oh.gov.

How Much Does a Copy of My Report Cost?

The Records Department will inform you if there is a fee for your report. If you opt to have the report mailed, there is a charge of .05 cents for each page plus the cost of postage.

Where is the Police Records Section Located?

The address for the Cincinnati Police Department Records Section is: 

801 Linn Street

Cincinnati, OH 45203 

Their regular business hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except holidays. 

How Do I Read My Cincinnati Car Accident Report?  

After you receive your report, it is important that you understand what it says. First, you need to verify that all the information contained within the report is correct, such as your personal details and contact information.  Even a tiny error could ultimately have a major effect on the outcome of your Ohio personal injury claim. If there are any mistakes, it is vital that you contact the appropriate police department and let them know immediately.

The report should include a diagram with the final locations of the cars and the areas of impact noted. Make sure that you agree with the details because, when it comes to determining liability, the insurance company is going to look to the police diagrams to understand what happened. The report will also state what most likely caused your car accident and what the traffic and weather conditions were when your accident took place. 

Make sure you also read through the narrative section. This is where the responding officer will list additional important information that is not available anywhere else.  

What Role Does Insurance Play in a Cincinnati, OH Car Accident?

Drivers who own and operate a motor vehicle in the state of Ohio, are required to carry liability insurance to help cover the costs of any damages accrued during an accident, such as property damage and physical injuries. In order to legally drive in the state of Ohio, all drivers must carry, at a minimum:   

• $25,000 for the death or injury of a single party  
• $50,000 for the death or injury of two or more parties  
• $25,000 for property damage in a single accident

Ohio is an at-fault car insurance state, meaning that the person who is liable for the car accident is also liable for any loss and property damage. So, in an accident, you would file a claim against the driver of the at-fault vehicle’s insurance policy. If their policy is not sufficient to cover all of the damages, the driver would then be responsible for reimbursing you for anything that is not covered by their auto insurance policy. 

What is the Average Settlement Amount for a Cincinnati, OH Car Accident? 

There is no “standard” settlement amount against which other settlements are measured. Every car accident case is different and occurs under a unique set of circumstances and involves different lawyers, defendants, juries, and judges. There are, however, some economic damages that are awarded in almost every single car accident case, such as: 

• Hospital and other medical bills, current and projected
• Lost income due to being unable to work
• The cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle

Non-economic damages for emotional anguish and physical pain may also be available. Keep in mind that the state caps these at $250,000, or 3 times the award for economic damages.  

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Ohio Car Accident?

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for both personal injury and property damage is two years from the day the accident took place. Once this two-year deadline passes, so has your chance to recoup your damages.

If you are uncertain whether you should file a lawsuit or a claim, it is in your best interests to speak with a qualified attorney who can advise you on your choice. An experienced and knowledgeable Cincinnati Interstate 75 car accident lawyer will be able to evaluate your potential case and suggest an effective course of action. If you choose to take legal action, we will fight for the maximum amount of financial compensation you are entitled to according to the law.  

Our Cincinnati, OH I-75 Car Accident Attorneys Can Help 

Our Cincinnati, Ohio car accident lawyers have been defending the rights of injured clients and their families for years. If a negligent or reckless driver was the cause of your accident and injuries, our lawyers can make sure that your right to seek compensation is protected.  Contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation today.