{"id":52399,"date":"2020-04-16T11:11:20","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T16:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.terrybryant.com\/?p=52399"},"modified":"2023-08-09T14:32:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T19:32:05","slug":"how-to-get-a-car-accident-police-report-in-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.terrybryant.com\/how-get-car-accident-report-police","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Car Accident Police Report in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019ve been in a crash, one of the essential things you\u2019ll need to know is how to get a car accident police report. By law, police in Texas must make a written report if someone was injured or killed in an accident or if there was over $1,000 in property damage. It\u2019s very important to include a copy of the responding officer\u2019s report with your insurance or legal claim to increase your chances of getting a fair settlement. Insurance adjusters often rely on police reports when reviewing claims. Without the police report, >your car accident claim will be incomplete and you risk having it denied or being given a lowball offer. <\/p>

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How to Obtain a Police Report<\/h2>\n

There are several ways you can try to obtain a copy of your crash report. If the Houston Police Department responded to your car crash, and in other areas of the state as well, you can do the following to get a report:<\/p>\n

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  1. Go online to TxDOT.<\/li>\n
  2. Request the report by mail.<\/li>\n
  3. Visit the police station.<\/li>\n
  4. Have your attorney obtain a copy.<\/li>\n
  5. Ask your insurance company. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These are the basic steps for how to obtain a police report after an accident. In some smaller municipalities, online access may not be available and you may have to request the report at the police station or through the mail. Also, reports may not be available for several days following your accident. According to the Houston Police, it can take anywhere from five to eight days.<\/p>\n

    Go Online to TxDOT<\/h3>\n

    You can search for your car accident police report online through the Texas Department of Transportation crash report purchase system.<\/a> Fees for downloadable reports are $6 for a regular report and $8 for a certified report. A certified report would typically be used for a legal proceeding. If you don\u2019t find your report there, contact the police agency that took the crash report to see if they have their own online system. <\/p>\n

    Request the Report by Mail<\/h3>\n

    You can also request your police report from TxDOT by mail. To do so, fill out the agency\u2019s CR-91 form, available on its website, and mail it with your payment to P.O. Box 12879, Austin, TX 78711. Or if the Houston Police Department<\/a> handled your crash, send a request to the department\u2019s Records Division at 1200 Travis St., Houston, TX 77002. You will need to include a crash report request form available on the department\u2019s website, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for $6.<\/p>\n

    Visit the Police Station<\/h3>\n

    Stop by the police station for the department that took the crash report to request a copy. Ask the desk clerk about the process for getting one. You will most likely need to provide the report identification number or other applicable details about your accident. In Houston, you can visit the police department\u2019s Records Division and fill out a request form for your report.<\/p>\n

    Have Your Attorney Obtain a Copy<\/h3>\n

    If you have an attorney handling your car accident claim, they can do the legwork for you. In addition to obtaining a copy of the police report, an attorney can gather other evidence to help your case. They can also interview eyewitnesses to the accident and identify possible expert witnesses who may be valuable to your claim. In some cases, they may even extract data from electronic devices or work to obtain video footage that help prove what happened.<\/p>\n

    Ask Your Insurance Company<\/h3>\n

    Another option is to ask your insurance company whether they have a copy of the report. If they do, they may be willing to provide a copy to you for free. <\/p>\n

    More About How to Get a Police Report After an Accident<\/h2>\n

    When you are requesting a police report after an accident, in addition to paying a fee, you will need to provide details about the crash. Be prepared to provide information such as:<\/p>\n