Ohio filing deadlines
| Claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury lawsuit | 2 years |
| Vehicle and property damage | 2 years |
| Wrongful death | 2 years |
| Notice of a claim against a government | No pre-suit notice of claim requirement; actions against political subdivisions must be brought within 2 years (R.C. 2744.04(A)); actions against the state in the Court of Claims within 2 years (R.C. 2743.16(A)) |
Cause of action accrues when injury or loss occurs (exposure-type discovery rules in 2305.10(B)).
If you were partly at fault
Ohio follows modified comparative negligence, 51% bar. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you were more at fault than the other side (51% or more). At exactly 50% you still recover half.
- With $100,000 in damages and 30% of the fault, you would recover $70,000.
- With 55% of the fault, you would recover $0, because the rule bars your claim.
Compared against combined fault of all other persons (including nonparties). Recovery allowed at exactly 50%.
Source: R.C. 2315.33. Compare all states in the comparative negligence table.
At-fault (tort) state
In Ohio the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the damage, so you claim against their liability insurance or sue them. Your own medical payments or health coverage can pay bills while the claim is pending.
Ohio is a traditional tort (at-fault) state with no required PIP. codes.ohio.gov refused direct connections.
Minimum car insurance in Ohio
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional or can be rejected in writing.
Many drivers carry only the minimum, so the bodily injury limit is often the most the at-fault driver's insurer will pay one person. (3) Twenty-five thousand dollars property damage. Section effective December 22, 2013 (HB 278). UM/UIM: a policy "may, but is not required to, include uninsured motorist coverage" (3937.18.
Damage caps
Ohio caps noneconomic damages: Greater of $250,000 or 3 times economic loss, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence. No cap for catastrophic injuries: permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, loss of a bodily organ system, or permanent physical functional injury preventing independent self-care Punitive damages: Generally limited to 2 times compensatory damages; for small employers or individuals, the lesser of 2 times compensatory or a percentage of net worth (Ohio Rev. Code 2315.21(D)(2))
Applies to tort actions for injury or loss to person or property (not wrongful death, and not medical claims governed by 2323.43). Upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court in Arbino v. Johnson and Johnson (2007). Section effective April 15, 2021 (HB 352).
Dog bite law
Strict liability statute. Covers any injury caused by the dog, not only bites. Exceptions: victim committing or attempting criminal trespass or another non-minor criminal offense on the owner's property or against any person, or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog on the owner's property. Common law claim also remains available.
Source: R.C. 955.28(B). Estimate a claim with the dog bite calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Ohio?
2 years from the accident for an injury lawsuit and 2 years for vehicle damage (R.C. 2305.10(A); R.C. 2125.02(F)(1); R.C. 2744.04(A); R.C. 2743.16(A)). Insurance claims should be reported much sooner, and claims against a government agency can have shorter notice deadlines.
Is Ohio a no-fault state?
No. Ohio is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other people's injuries and damage.
What happens if I was partly at fault in Ohio?
Ohio follows modified comparative negligence, 51% bar (R.C. 2315.33). Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you recover nothing if you were more at fault than the other side (51% or more). At exactly 50% you still recover half.
What is the minimum car insurance in Ohio?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
Does Ohio cap pain and suffering damages?
Yes: Greater of $250,000 or 3 times economic loss, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence. No cap for catastrophic injuries: permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, loss of a bodily organ system, or permanent physical functional injury preventing independent self-care
Sources
Checked against official Ohio sources November 5, 2026.
- Ohio statute of limitations: R.C. 2305.10(A); R.C. 2125.02(F)(1); R.C. 2744.04(A); R.C. 2743.16(A)
- Ohio comparative fault: R.C. 2315.33
- Ohio insurance system: Ohio Rev. Code 4509.51 (owner's liability policy); no PIP mandate in Chapter 4509
- Ohio damage caps: Ohio Rev. Code 2315.18(B)(2)-(3); 2315.21(D)(2)
- Ohio dog bite liability: R.C. 955.28(B)