How to Request an Accident Report

If you have been injured in a car accident in Texas that wasn’t your fault, you may already know that you might be eligible to file a claim for compensation for the losses you have suffered. However, in order to be successful in your claim, you must have several documents that will serve as proof of the accident that occurred, the injuries you suffered, and the liability of the other party. Among these documents, one of the most vital is the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report.

Requesting a copy of the accident report as soon as possible is an important step in your compensation claim process. You’ll want to look over the document very closely with an experienced car accident attorney so that you can be sure that the report is accurate. Insurance companies will rely heavily on the information contained in the report, and mistakes can slow the process or even put your claim in danger. While your attorney may be able to correct any mistakes within the report, doing so as early as possible will help you protect your claim.

What Information Is in the Accident Report?

Texas laws require a police officer to submit a written report (CR-3) for any motor vehicle collision that results in injury, death, or property damage worth $1,000 or more. The accident report is the result of the officer’s initial observations as well as interviews with the involved parties and any witnesses. The crash report generally contains the following information:

• The accident’s date, time, and location
• Names and dates of birth of those involved in the accident
• Insurance provider and policy number for each driver
• Known injuries and extent of vehicle damage
• Statements from those involved in the accident
• Statements and contact information of any witnesses
• Conditions of the road, weather, and lighting at the accident scene
• A visual diagram of the accident
• Notes of any laws or codes that were violated
• The officer’s opinion as to who or what was at fault for the collision

What if an Officer Didn’t Respond to the Accident?

Some accident victims do not realize that they have suffered injuries until some time has passed after the crash. For example, if you have had a whiplash injury or internal bleeding, the extent of your injury may not become apparent for several hours or days. In these instances, you may not have felt the immediate need to call a police officer to the scene. In such cases, you can still fill out a “blue form” driver’s accident report (CR-2), which can be an effective way of creating an official record of the circumstances of the crash for the purposes of your claim.

Obtaining a Copy of Your Accident Report

The responding police officer should give you an accident or incident report number before leaving the scene. If you do not have this number, you will still be able to request the report if you can provide the following information:

• Date and time of the accident
• Location of the accident
• Names of drivers involved
• Investigating police department

Only people who were directly involved in the accident or those who have a proper interest in it (such as attorneys and insurance companies of those involved) may gain access to the report.

Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be able to search and request your crash report online. In some parts of Texas, however, you may still need to visit the police department in person or to make a request by mail.

Texas accident reports generally become available within a few days to three weeks of the crash. However, if someone was injured or killed in the accident, you can expect that it will take a bit longer before the full investigation concludes.

Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Attorney Today

The process of obtaining and reviewing an accident report can sometimes be challenging, especially while you are still dealing with your injuries and other repercussions of the collision. A skilled car accident attorney can help you by taking care of this process for you, as well as handling all the legal complications that may arise in your claim.

The experienced Texas car accident attorneys of Portner Bond, PLLC have the knowledge and resources necessary to make your claim as smooth, stress-free, and successful as possible. We will ensure that your accident report is correct so that you are able to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence and get the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today by calling (409) 838-4444 or by filling out our online form. We are ready to get to work for you.