If you were involved in a car accident in Texas, you can look up the accident report on the Texas Department of Transportation’s website.
If you need assistance requesting a copy of your accident report, working with a car accident attorney may be beneficial. They can help you look up the accident report, and if you plan to take legal action against the at-fault party, they can also provide you with valuable legal representation throughout your claim or lawsuit.
You Can Look Up an Accident Report on the TxDOT Website
In most cases, you can find a car accident report online.
How to Look Up an Accident Report Online
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), you can access an accident report online through the Crash Records Information System. Once you submit the information about the accident report you need, you will receive the report via email. You can also request a certified copy in the mail.
How to Look Up an Accident Report if You Cannot Find it Online
If you cannot find the accident report you need online, you can contact TxDOT directly for assistance. You may also want to seek help from a car accident attorney. They can help you locate the accident report and review it to see if you have grounds to take legal action against the driver who caused the accident.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-239-4878
What Information Do I Need to Provide to Look Up An Accident Report?
To obtain an accident report, you must provide basic information about the accident. The information you may need includes the following:
- The name of the driver involved in the accident
- The driver’s license number for a driver involved in the accident
- The accident date
- The accident location (city, county, and/or street)
Without this information, you might be unable to access the accident report. In this case, getting help from an attorney could benefit your situation.
Can Anyone Request an Accident Report?
Per Texas Transportation Code §550.065, anyone “directly concerned” with the accident can request an accident report, including the following:
- Someone involved in the accident as a passenger or driver
- An authorized representative of someone involved in the accident, such as a personal injury lawyer
- An employer of someone involved in the accident
- The owner of any of the vehicles involved in the accident
- An owner of property damaged in the accident
- A parent or legal guardian of someone involved in the accident
- A representative from an auto insurance company covering one of the vehicles involved
- Someone who plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit because of the accident
If you fall into one of these categories, you can request the full police report. Other individuals may be able to request a redacted copy of the report.
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What Information Is in My Car Accident Report?
Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires law enforcement officers who respond to car accidents resulting in injury, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage to file a report within ten days of the crash. An accident report usually contains the following information:
- Details of the crash, such as the date, time, and location
- Contact information for those involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Detailed information about all vehicles involved and vehicular damage
- Information about injuries sustained in the accident
- Weather conditions when the accident occurred
- Statements from everyone involved in the accident, including witnesses
- Information about the locations and driving paths of involved vehicles
- A diagram of the accident
- Whether anyone involved in the accident received a citation
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How Much Does it Cost to Look Up an Accident Report?
Per TxDOT, you can expect to pay the following for a copy of your accident report:
- Regular copy; $6
- Certified copy: $8
If you plan to utilize the accident report for legal proceedings, you will need a certified copy. This includes if you intend to file a claim against the at-fault driver for injuries and other damages you sustained in the accident.
How Long Do I Have to Wait to Receive an Accident Report?
According to TxDOT, reports may not be available until 14 days after the crash. It may also take additional time to process your request after you submit it. If you cannot find the report after 14 days have passed, or if you do not receive the report after requesting it, you can contact TxDOT for assistance.
Having the police report number from the accident scene and/or the responding officer’s name could help you locate the report more easily. If you have hired an attorney, they could take the necessary steps on your behalf to obtain a copy of the police report. Attorneys handle these situations often and know the correct steps to take to get any information they need regarding the accident.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for Help After a Car Accident
If you were involved in a car accident and need help requesting a copy of the police report or with other aspects of your claim, a car accident attorney can help you. They can obtain a copy of the police report and review its information. If the accident was not your fault, they can also help you build a case against the liable party and seek compensation for your losses.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
To learn more about how our attorneys can provide legal assistance, contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins today for a free consultation. We can explain how we can help you obtain a copy of the police report and use it in your favor.
When you work with our car accident attorneys, you can rest assured that we will do much more than just look up the police report—we can handle every aspect of your claim or lawsuit from beginning to end, so you can focus on resting and recovering from your injuries.
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