If you suffered injuries in a car accident, it is imperative to obtain a copy of the vehicle accident report. While it’s not required to pursue a claim, it will serve as valuable evidence as you seek compensation from the insurance company for the harm caused by the crash.
The Components of a Vehicle Accident Report
The Houston Police Department officer who responded to your crash likely completed most of the vehicle accident report, known as the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), while at the scene. It includes a significant amount of information to describe and chronicle when and why the accident occurred and who was involved.
Your report will contain a lot of Texas accident report codes for information like:
- Roadway types and parts
- Road surface condition
- Vehicle types, colors, and body styles
- Injury severity
- Vehicle damage
A Houston car accident attorney can translate these codes to help you understand what they mean for your personal injury case.
The encoded report consists of the date, time, and location of the crash, along with the names and contact information of the drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses. It describes the extent of the injuries and damage to the vehicles along with the road, weather, and lighting conditions.
The report also includes testimony from those involved in the crash and eyewitnesses, a diagram of the accident scene, sobriety test results, any traffic violations, and the police officer’s assessment of what or who caused the crash.
When and Why You Need the Accident Report
Anyone in Texas who is involved in a vehicle accident must notify police if property damage exceeds $1,000. If one driver was intoxicated, did not have insurance, or left the accident scene, you must also notify the police. When a collision results in injury, death, or an undriveable vehicle, it must be immediately reported to law enforcement.
Again, while the accident report is not necessary to pursue a claim, it will provide valuable evidence to the insurance company and possibly the court if your claim goes to trial. You should obtain the report as soon as possible, as it may be a primary piece of evidence used to establish the driver at fault.
If you have photos or videos of the accident scene, witness testimony, and detailed notes, it will certainly bolster the evidence package.
FAQ
How Soon Can You Obtain the Report?
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) serves as a repository for vehicle accident report records in the state. The agency retains a report for 10 full calendar years plus the calendar year it was submitted.
A car accident report should be accessible as soon as it’s available in the TxDOT Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S.), which is typically within 10 days of the crash date. C.R.I.S. is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
How Do You Obtain a Copy of Your Car Accident Report?
Regardless of where you reside in Texas — Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio — you can obtain a copy of your accident report online through the TxDOT C.R.I.S. website approximately 10 days after the accident.
Is the Report Free?
No. TxDOT charges $6 for an uncertified copy and $8.00 for a certified copy. The certified copy is a “true and correct” copy of the report that the police officer submitted to the agency. It bears the signature of the Custodian of Motor Vehicle Crash Records and the official TxDOT seal.
The uncertified copy, only stamped with "Copy from Custodial File,” is intended for personal records or unofficial business, while the certified format is typically required for legal proceedings. After completing the purchase, you’ll receive a link and local reference ID to download the report. You can access it immediately and for up to 10 days.
Alternatively, you can order your report via the LexisNexis BuyCrash portal. The Houston Police Department’s website provides a link to this resource.
If circumstances prevent you from ordering the report online through TxDOT C.R.I.S., you may obtain a copy by mail using the Request for Copy of a Peace Officer’s Crash Report form, or CR-91. Keep in mind that this method can take up to one month.
What if Your Report Has Errors?
Police officers make mistakes. Maybe the officer who responded to your crash was under pressure to quickly process and record the accident, or maybe they were a rookie.
Unfortunately, with a car accident claim, report errors could have an impact on the compensation you receive. It must be carefully reviewed as soon as possible to identify any discrepancies.
With most accidents, the responding officer doesn’t witness the crash. Therefore, when they write an assessment of how the accident happened or who was at fault, they may not always get it right.
The report may also contain factual errors related to the vehicles or drivers. Perhaps while transcribing their notes, the officer used the wrong code to describe vehicle damage, misspelled a driver’s name, or inserted the wrong number in a birthdate or driver’s license.
Can the Errors Be Fixed?
Many errors may be easily fixed by contacting the officer and providing the evidence that demonstrates they erred. Others can be resolved with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.
A Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Assist With Your Case
If you or a loved one suffered an injury from a crash, a skilled Houston car accident attorney at Ramsey Law Group can provide assistance. Contact our team to schedule your free consultation.