
How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Houston
Jun 30, 2022 | Read Time: 9 minutesIf you or a loved one has been in a car accident and you’re looking to get compensation from the other driver, there are many pieces of evidence you’ll want to have to show that the other driver was at fault. One of these documents is the police report of the accident. The police report will need to be provided to your attorney and to your automobile insurance company so the appropriate damages can be pursued. Why Is a Police Report Important? As mentioned above, you’ll want to show that the other driver was at fault for the car accident and any resulting injuries. A police report is one of the most useful ways to prove fault because it generally includes detailed observations from the officer who was on the scene. Helpful evidence that is commonly included in a police report includes: Facts about the scene of the accident – These can include information about the weather conditions, the time of the accident, the location of the accident, the position of the vehicles immediately after the accident occurred, and whether or not the other driver was issued a ticket or violation. Witness reports – When an officer arrives at the scene, they generally look for people who witnessed the accident and take their statements. These witness statements are helpful to show what happened leading up to the accident and the circumstances around which the accident took place. Since there often isn’t video evidence of exactly what happened, eyewitness accounts can be critical in determining who was at fault. The officer may also include their opinion of who was at fault in the accident. Information about the other driver – The police report will also include information about the other driver, such as name, contact information, insurance information, and the make and model of the driver’s vehicle. Are Police Reports Required After a Car Accident in Texas? A police report will not always be required by law, but it is still a good idea to get one, as you never know what injuries or damages will show themselves down the line. Under Texas law, if the accident caused over $1,000 of property damage, injury, or death, you will be required to report the accident and file a police report. Even if you don’t think there is $1,000 worth of damage, it is a good idea to report the accident and get a police report. You can’t be sure of the exact amount of the damage or the full extent of any injuries, so you’ll want to cover your bases. A police report will be crucial if you decide to file a personal injury or accident lawsuit or if you need to deal with insurance companies. The police report is considered an unbiased account of what happened at the accident, so it is relied on by juries, courts, insurance companies, and any other involved party to help determine what took place and who was at fault. It’s important to note that Texas law provides you with 10 days to report the accident and file a police report. If a police officer cannot come to the scene of the accident, you’ll want to get on the Texas Department of Transportation website to fill out a crash report form, also called a CR-3. It is recommended that you fill out the form as close to the accident as possible. Doing so will allow you to provide the most accurate information. The information you’ll want for the crash report includes: A detailed description of the location of the accident, including the town, state, street names, and nearby intersections The date and time of the accident A detailed description of the vehicles involved in the accident, including make, model, year, license plate number, and vehicle identification number if you have it A detailed description of what happened from your point of view (Every driver’s account of the accident will differ based on their perspective, but it is important that you do your best to provide a truthful, accurate description of the events.) A detailed description of any injuries you suffered from the accident A detailed description of any property damage caused by the accident If you are unable to file a police report, you should still make sure to document the accident as best as you can. Make sure to take down pertinent information about the other driver, such as name, contact information, and insurance information. Use your phone to take pictures of the vehicles prior to moving them. Doing so will allow you to document any other conditions that may have impacted the accident, such as poor weather conditions or disrepair of the road. If there are any witnesses, try to speak to them and get their contact information. Get Your Police Report Since the police report is such an important document, you want to make sure that you get a copy to provide to your personal injury attorney and your insurance company. The steps to getting an accident report may vary depending on your location. Under Texas law, not everyone is entitled to see police reports due to the confidential information many of them contain. Only individuals who are directly involved in the accident or individuals with proper interest are eligible to request the full, unredacted police report. Those individuals include: The owner of the vehicle in the accident The authorized representative of someone who was involved in the accident The parent, guardian, or employer of a driver involved in the accident Any individual who is financially responsible for a vehicle that was involved in the accident Any individual who may bring a lawsuit because of the death of someone involved in the accident An insurance company that has issued a policy covering a vehicle or person who was involved in the accident A qualified radio station, television station, or newspaper If you fall under one of the criteria above, you can request a copy of the police report. Some locations where our clients...
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