How to Obtain an Accident Report in Texas

When a Texas car accident causes personal injuries, the accident report can be an important piece of evidence. The accident report provides basic information, such as the name and address of the drivers and passengers of the vehicles and a description of how the accident happened. While the accident report will not always state who was at fault for causing the accident, it is an official statement of what happened and can be a key piece of evidence to resolve a personal injury lawsuit.

What Information Is Included in a Texas Accident Report?

A Texas accident report will include information such as:

• The date, time, and location of the crash
• The make, model, license plate number, and VIN of the vehicles involved
• Information about any commercial vehicles involved in the crash
• The name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information of drivers, passengers, owners of vehicles and pedestrians involved in the crash
• A description of any injuries or property damage caused by the accident
• A diagram and the police officer’s description of the crash
• Factors and conditions that may have contributed to causing the accident
• The results of any driver sobriety tests that were administered
• Any laws or codes that were violated

Is a Texas Accident Report Required?

Under Texas Transportation Code §550.062, an accident report is required anytime a person is injured or killed in a car accident or any vehicle involved in the accident sustained more than $1,000 in property damage.

A Texas car accident report must be filed within ten days after the accident occurred. A driver who fails to file an accident report could face penalties, including suspension of their driver’s license.

Obtaining an Accident Report in Texas

You can request an accident report through the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Report Online Purchase System. As long as the online system recognizes your identifying information and can locate the crash report, you can purchase the accident report for a small fee. You can also obtain an accident report by mailing the fee and required forms to the Texas Department of Transportation.

When you request an accident report, you can receive a regular copy for a $6 fee or a certified copy for an additional $2. A certified copy of the accident report can be useful because it is an official statement of what happened and can be used as evidence in a legal proceeding to support your version of the events leading up to, during, and after the crash.

If you are represented by McKinney Vos, we will purchase the accident report for you.

When Is the Accident Report Available?

Accident reports are not immediately available. Law enforcement officers need time to prepare and process the accident report. If your accident report is not immediately available, keep checking the TexDOT website. In cases where the accident report is delayed, such as when the police need additional information, having an attorney on your side can help expedite the process.

Who Can Obtain a Texas Accident Report?

A Texas accident report is a confidential document. Only the following people can request a copy of an accident report in Texas:

• Any person involved in the accident
• The authorized representative of anyone involved in the accident
• An employer, parent, or legal guardian of a party involved in the crash
• Family members of anyone killed in the accident
• The owner of any vehicle damaged in the collision
• The insurance company of any person or vehicle involved in the accident

Do I Need a Lawyer to Obtain a Texas Accident Report?

You do not need a lawyer to obtain an accident report in Texas. However, if an insurance company tries to blame you for causing the car accident, our experienced personal injury lawyers can investigate the crash and could use the accident report to rebut the insurance adjuster’s assessment of who was at fault.

What Else Do I Need to Prove My Case?

When a car accident causes injuries, the accident report is one piece of building a successful claim for compensation. In addition to the accident report, our lawyers can request evidence such as:

• Medical records to establish the nature and extent of your injuries
• Medical bills to prove past and future expenses you incurred because of the injuries you sustained in the accident
• Employment records to demonstrate lost income caused by the accident
• Statements from medical and economic experts to address how the accident affected your life and your ability to earn a living
• Eyewitness statements
• Traffic camera footage to show how the accident happened and who was at fault

How the Personal Injury Lawyers at McKinney Vos Can Help

When a Texas car accident causes injuries, the lawyers at McKinney Vos can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. We can analyze your situation, answer your questions, and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused. To put our expertise to work for you, contact McKinney Vos today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.