How to Get a Texas Accident Report

If you wish to recover financial compensation for a car accident in Texas, the accident report is a vital piece of evidence. The accident report can provide key information about your collision that an insurance company can use to process your claim. You are entitled to a copy of the accident report – called the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report. Learn how to request a copy in your county.

Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Texas?

According to Texas Transportation Code Section 550.062, a driver is required to report a motor vehicle collision to a law enforcement officer if it causes injuries or deaths to one or more parties or property damage that appears to be worth $1,000 or more. You may also wish to report a more minor car accident, as the accident report can provide important evidence for an injury claim.

You should also report any car accident where you suspect a broken law, such as driving while intoxicated or driving without insurance. The law requires those involved in serious car accidents to report them as soon as possible – generally from the scene of the crash. Then, the law requires the law enforcement officer to file a report with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the collision.

If you fail to report a car accident in Texas, you could face serious penalties, including a criminal hit-and-run charge. The definition of hit-and-run is to leave the scene of a car accident without fulfilling all required driver responsibilities, including stopping at the scene, rendering aid to anyone injured and calling the police, if necessary. Failure to report a serious car accident in Texas can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or jail time.

How Long Do You Have to File an Accident Report in Texas?

You should always notify the police of a serious car accident immediately – ideally while you are still at the scene of the collision, using a cell phone. Otherwise, make the call as soon as possible. If you did not lawfully have to call the police at the scene, you must still submit a written accident report to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. You must fill out and file what is known as a Blue Form, or the CR-2 Crash Report.

How Do You Obtain a Copy of Your Accident Report in Texas?

By law, you are entitled to receive a copy of your Texas accident report. Ask for your police report number from the law enforcement officer while still at the scene of your car accident. Then, use the report number to request your copy. You can do this by calling the local police station in the county where the collision took place and providing your information, by using the Crash Report Online Purchase System, or by mail.

To use the online purchase system, you will be asked to enter some identifying information to locate the correct crash report. Then, you will submit a payment online to purchase a copy and have it mailed to you. If you wish to request a copy by mail, complete a CR-91 document and mail it with the required payment to the address on the form.

You will have to pay a fee for a copy of your crash report. The current price in Texas is $6 for a regular copy or $8 for a certified copy. You need a certified copy if you are using your accident report for a legal proceeding, such as a car accident lawsuit.

If you have trouble obtaining a copy of your Texas accident report, you may need to hire a Houston car accident lawyer to help you gather evidence. A lawyer can contact the police department for you, as well as help you use your accident report as evidence during an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in Texas.