Roadwise States Ohio Driving lessons What to do after a crash Ohio driving lesson · Emergencies & Crashes
What to do after a crash A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Emergencies & Crashes
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 44 After a crash, your job is to protect the scene, help anyone hurt, exchange information and report it. Leaving without doing these things is against the law.
Know the rule
Move your vehicle off the roadway as far as possible. If you can't move it, turn on hazard lights and set up road flares if you have them.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Stay calm and remain at the scene: Stop and immediately warn approaching traffic; turn on hazard lights In minor crashes, if possible and safe, move your vehicle out of traffic Stay as calm as possible and avoid any argument Don't leave until you've exchanged contact and insurance information If the damaged vehicle was unoccupied, leave a note Handbook p. 44 ↗ Check for injuries and get help: Check yourself and others for injuries Call 911 if anyone is injured Don't move the injured; keep them warm Notify the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Sheriff or local police Handbook p. 44 ↗ Exchange and collect: Names and addresses of those involved and witnesses Name and contact information of the vehicle owner if not present License plate numbers and vehicle makes and models Insurance company name, address and policy number Handbook p. 44 ↗ Know the rule
Exchange information, but don't discuss fault or insurance coverage. Note the chain of events, weather, road conditions and traffic controls.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Know the rule
Answer all of the investigating officer's questions, but don't discuss the crash with others.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Know the rule
If you hit an unattended vehicle, report it to police or leave the necessary information at the scene.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Know the rule
You may file a Crash Report (form BMV 3303) with the BMV within six months if damage exceeded $400 or someone was injured, AND the other driver or owner had no insurance or financial responsibility.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Put it into practice
You back into a parked, empty car in a lot and can't find the owner. Leave a note with your contact and insurance information, or report the crash to the police — driving away is not an option.
A useful reminder BMV 3303 conditions are a pair: over $400 damage or injury, plus an uninsured other party.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What should you do first if you're involved in a crash and no one is hurt? Move off the roadway if possible Leave the scene to file a report later Wait for police before moving at all Exchange information only if asked Answer: Move off the roadway if possible
If involved in a crash, move your vehicle off the roadway as far as possible if you can.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ What must you do before leaving the scene of a crash? Nothing, if the damage looks minor Exchange contact and insurance info Only exchange information if asked by police Wait exactly 30 minutes at the scene Answer: Exchange contact and insurance info
You must not leave the scene until you've exchanged contact and insurance information with those involved.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Within how many months can a crash report (form BMV 3303) be filed after a qualifying crash? 1 month 12 months 6 months 3 months Answer: 6 months
A driver may file a Crash Report (form BMV 3303) with the BMV within six months after the crash.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ You may file a BMV Crash Report (form BMV 3303) if there was over $400 in damage or an injury AND what else is true? The crash occurred on a state highway The crash happened during work zone hours Both drivers were cited by police The other driver or owner lacked insurance or financial responsibility Answer: The other driver or owner lacked insurance or financial responsibility
A crash report is required when damage exceeds $400 (or there's injury) and the other party lacked insurance coverage.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ What should you do if you hit an unattended, parked vehicle and can't find the owner? Leave the necessary information at the scene or report it to police Drive away since no one witnessed it Wait at the scene indefinitely Only report it if damage exceeds $1,000 Answer: Leave the necessary information at the scene or report it to police
If involved in a crash with an unattended vehicle, you must report the crash to police or leave necessary information at the scene.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Someone is injured in a crash you're involved in. What does the handbook say to do? Move them into your car to keep warm Drive them to the nearest hospital Call 911; don't move them and keep them warm Help them walk off the roadway Answer: Call 911; don't move them and keep them warm
Call emergency services (911) if anyone has been injured; do not move the injured, and keep them warm.
Handbook p. 44 ↗ Previous lesson Vehicle malfunctions Next lesson License classes: Class D and CDLs More in Emergencies & Crashes About the source Roadwise’s Ohio course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 44. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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