If you get this wrong, key proof disappears fast and the insurer gets to say there is "no evidence" of how the crash happened, how badly you were hurt, or why you cannot keep working.

The common wrong answer is: "Just get the police report and let insurance handle it." That is not enough.

A Canton Police Department crash report helps, but it usually does not preserve everything that wins or loses a claim. It may not include every witness, every photo, business surveillance, dashcam video, cell phone use, or the company van's internal data.

What you should save right now:

• Photos and video of all vehicles, plate numbers, damage, skid marks, debris, weather, traffic lights, and your injuries
• The Ohio crash report number and the responding agency
• Names, numbers, and short recorded statements from witnesses
• Any dashcam footage from your car, the van, nearby cars, or businesses
• Your phone records if the other side hints you were distracted
• Medical records, work excuses, prescriptions, and mileage to treatment
• Pay stubs and missed-work records if you are the only income in the house
• If it was a company van, send a written request to preserve telematics, GPS, driver logs, inspection records, onboard video, and cell phone data
• If road rage or a shooting was involved, ask that 911 calls, bodycam, dispatch logs, and surveillance video be preserved

In Ohio, the minimum liability coverage is only 25/50/25. That means $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. If injuries are serious, evidence matters even more because coverage fights start early, especially near year-end renewals and rushed settlement pressure.

Do not assume video will still exist next week. Many systems overwrite in days. And do not wait on deadlines: Ohio injury claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations.