You can go online or visit the police station to get a crash report in Cedar Hill, TX. Why would you need one? If you sustained injuries in a car accident through no fault of your own, you might be considering legal action against the other party. Thus, getting a copy of your crash report is a critical first step.
An experienced Cedar Hill car accident lawyer can help you obtain a report after an accident—and so much more. They can build a winning case for compensation using this document’s details.
Options for Getting a Police Report Following a Crash in Cedar Hill
After a motor vehicle accident in Cedar Hill, you have options for obtaining a copy of your police report. The state compiles a complete database of these reports, and many local police departments typically have their vendor. Cedar Hill has a third party that manages its system for obtaining crash reports.
Using the City of Cedar Hill’s Vendor
The City of Cedar Hill allows individuals to purchase copies of crash reports from its authorized vendor, LexisNexis® BuyCrash®. These reports cost $6, and you will need specific information to access them. Please note that for any accidents that occurred prior to 2016, you will need to contact the police department directly for a report.
To use BuyCrash, you will need to provide two of the following pieces of information:
- Your last name
- The date of the crash
- The street where it happened
Advanced search options are also available, including searches based on cross streets, report numbers, or your first name. You will want to wait 48 hours following the collision to search for your report.
Going Through the State
To get a copy of a crash report through the Texas Department of Transportation, you would use the Crash Records Information System (CRIS). It may take up to 10 days between the crash date and the report becoming available through the CRIS website.
To get your report, you will need to provide one of the following pieces of information:
- The full legal name of the person in the crash
- Their driver’s license number
- The vehicle identification number of the car in the accident
- The TxDOT Crash ID Number
You can apply for a report online or through traditional mail. However, the second option can add another 5-7 days of processing.
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What Information Does a Crash Report Include?
Crash reports contain many details that can be essential to an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Besides the basic information regarding where the collision occurred, it can also provide contact information for witnesses and diagrams of the crash scene. Other details the report might have include the following:
- The names of everyone involved in the collision
- The drivers’ insurance information
- The date, time, and location of the crash
- Road and weather conditions
- A description of the damage to the vehicles
- The make and model of each car
In addition to the objective details of the crash, the responding officer may also submit a narrative and a sketch of the accident scene. This narrative gives their view on what happened and might even point blame at one driver or another. Finally, it would note if either party received a moving violation citation at the scene.
As helpful as these reports are, it is worth noting that they are generally not admissible at trial. That does not mean they cannot have a substantial impact on the outcome of your injury case. Often, insurance adjusters base their decision to accept or deny a claim on what the police report reflects.
Reporting an Accident Is Required in Cedar Hill Under Many Circumstances
Many motor vehicle accidents require a police report because the law requires you to notify law enforcement of an accident when it involves:
- Bodily injury
- Deaths
- Property damage valued above $1,000
The police officer must report their findings when they respond to these calls.
There are consequences if you fail to report a car accident, including the potential for being convicted of a crime. It can also affect the outcome of your personal injury case by letting the other driver shape the narrative for the responding officer. Furthermore, leaving the scene leaves many potential jurors feeling you left because you were at fault.
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Many Documents Can Be Important in a Cedar Hill Car Accident Case
The crash report is only one of the critical pieces of evidence in the aftermath of a collision. When you work with an attorney, they will advise on the essential details and help you develop the proof needed to build a winning case. Some other important documents include:
- Medical records describing your injuries
- Photos of your injuries
- Dashcam footage of the crash
- Photos of the vehicles after the accident
- Statements from neutral witnesses
- Medical bills showing the cost of your treatment
- Employment and income records
Each piece of evidence can have an outsized effect on your claim—especially if your case eventually goes to trial. The right attorney could answer your questions about the significance of each item in your evidence file.
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Talk to an Attorney About How to Get a Crash Report in Cedar Hill
If you still have questions about getting a crash report in Cedar Hill, now is the time to ask. The attorneys at Clay Jenkins & Associates are ready to help with every aspect of your case—from reviewing the accident report to moving forward with litigation.
When you act as your own attorney, you put your chance at financial recovery at risk. There are legal deadlines and complicated rules of evidence that could upend your case—even if you are clearly not at fault. So, reach out today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Call or text (972) 938-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form