Oftentimes, the single most important document in a motor vehicle collision case is the crash report (otherwise known as police report or car accident police report).
A crash report is completed when a responding law enforcement officer investigates a traffic crash when there is apparent damage of $1,000 or more to property or the crash resulted in injury or death.
If you were injured in an automobile collision and are seeking representation, then do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP.
We routinely obtain copies of crash reports for our clients. If, however, you have not decided to hire a lawyer yet or are simply looking to obtain your crash report on your own, here you will find:
- What is contained in the crash report
- How to obtain it
What is a Crash Report and Why Do I Need It?
Texas law requires crash reports to contain certain information. For example, the crash report will provide you with the following information:
- Identifying information for the drivers involved
- Identifying information for the responding police officer
- Contact information for any witnesses
- The driver’s insurance information, including the insurance company and policy number
- Identifying information for the vehicles involved
- Date and time of the collision
- Location of the collision
- Vehicle Damage Rating
- If the vehicles had any defects
- Roadway, weather, lighting conditions
Perhaps, most importantly, the crash report may also provide:
- A description of how the crash occurred
- Indicate what factors contributed to the crash, and
- List any citations issued and laws violated for the crash.
This information is extremely important to determine who is “at fault” for the crash. If one of the drivers received a citation for the crash, there is a good chance that they will be found at least partially “at fault.” The crash report often helps prove that.
If you need help with a case, consult with Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP. As one of the top personal injury lawyers in the Houston area, they are known to provide high-value, professional representation for every single client, with 70 clients endorsing the firm with a 4.9-star Google review. Call for a free consultation at 832-402-6637 or online.
How to Obtain a Copy of Your Crash Report?
You have two primary options to obtain a copy of your crash report in Texas:
- By mail through the Texas Department of Transportation
- Online
Keep in mind that it may take up to fourteen (14) business days from the date of the crash for the report to be finalized. Sometimes, it takes even longer.
By Mail. To obtain a copy of your crash report by mail, you must fill out a CR-91 form and mail it with the appropriate fees to: Crash Data and Analysis, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 12879, Austin, Texas 78711.
Online. To obtain an electronic copy of your crash report online, click the following link: https://cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home. You can search for a crash report using (1) the names of anyone involved in the crash, (2) the driver’s license number for anyone involved in the crash, (3) the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of any vehicle involved in the crash or (4) the TxDOT Crash ID assigned to the crash. If you are searching by name, make sure to double-check the date to ensure you are purchasing the correct report. To download the report, you must certify that you are authorized to obtain a copy of the report. Once you have selected the correct report with the correct date, you can download a PDF version of the crash report.
The Cost of Obtaining a Texas Crash Accident Report
The cost to obtain your crash report will vary depending on what type of report you are ordering. Regular copies of crash reports cost $6.00. Certified copies of crash reports cost $8.00. A regular copy just contains the crash report. A certified copy is an official version that contains a certification from the Texas Department of Transportation that the crash report is a true and correct copy. A certified copy may be helpful if the crash report is going to be used in legal proceedings.
9 Things You Should (And Shouldn’t) Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.