How Do I File and Retrieve an Accident Report in Texas?
If you are involved in an auto accident in Texas, it is essential that an accident report detailing the collision be filed. These reports can be referred to by your Texas injury attorney to demonstrate how the actions of an adverse driver led to your collision and your injuries.
Who Is Responsible for Filing a Crash Report?
Texas law recognizes two types of crash reports. The type of crash report that filed and who is responsible for the filing of the report is dependent on whether or not the crash was investigated by a law enforcement officer.
A Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) is completed by a law enforcement officer investigating a crash when the crash being investigated:
- results in death
- results in injury
- results in damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more
Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires that the responding officer submit such a report to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) no later than the 10th day after the date of the crash at which point TxDOT will retain the report for 10 years plus the current year.
A Driver’s Crash Report (CR-2), also known as a Blue Form, is a report that is completed by a driver involved in a crash that is not investigated by a law enforcement officer. Similar to a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, Texas Transportation Code §550.061 requires that a Driver’s Crash Report be completed when a crash:
- results in death
- results in Injury
- results in damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more
State retention schedule for Driver’s Crash Reports is one year plus the current year.
How Do I Complete a Driver’s Crash Report?
If you need to file a Driver’s Crash Report (CR-2), you can find the form on the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) website. If you are unable to access the form electronically, you may request a physical copy of the form at any local Department of Safety office.
When filling out a Driver’s Crash Report, you will be asked to provide:
- The location of the crash
- Date of the crash
- Information on the vehicle’s involved (your vehicle is Vehicle #1)
- Descriptions of property damage
- Descriptions of injuries associated with the crash
- A driver’s statement (your narrative of what happened)
- A signature attesting to the factual nature of the information you have included on the Texas Crash Report.
Once the form is completed, you may submit it to TxDOT electronically or by mail.
How Can I Obtain a Copy of My Crash Report?
You may obtain a copy of your crash report by visiting your local DPS office or by visiting the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System.
In an effort to guarantee confidentiality, Texas law does not make crash reports available for viewing by the general public. As such, access to a crash report is limited to:
- Individuals involved in the accident
- An authorized representative of a person involved in the accident
- An employer, parent, or legal guardian of a person involved in the accident
- The owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the crash
- A person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the accident in a manner described in Texas Transportation Code 601.501, including a policyholder of a motor vehicle
- An insurance company that issued an insurance policy covering a vehicle involved in the crash
- An insurance company that issued a policy covering a person involved in the crash
- A person under contract to provide claims or underwriting to a qualified insurer or policy provider
- A radio or television station that holds a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission
- A newspaper that is a free newspaper of general circulation or qualified under Section 2051.044, Government Code, to publish legal notices; published at least once a week; and available and of interest to the general public in connection with the dissemination of news
- Any person who may sue because of death resulting from the accident.
- Any agency of the United States, Texas, or a local government of Texas
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
At Thomas J. Henry, we focus on personal injury matters and achieving the maximum recovery for you and your family. Our firm has the resources to take care of you and your family during the legal process. Our lawyers are dedicated to each and every client and their unique case. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have sustained. Contact our personal injury attorneys — available 24/7, nights and weekends — for a free legal consultation.
