You must follow several steps to get a crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded to your Dallas traffic accident. This report could prove especially valuable if you plan to file an insurance claim and hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries and losses.
When you work with a Dallas car accident lawyer on your case, they will manage this process, including requesting and securing the police report on your behalf. You can focus on your treatment and healing while they handle the rest.
What Do I Do to Obtain a Crash Report in Dallas?
The Dallas Police Department provides two methods to obtain crash reports filed by its officers—via mail or in person. You must provide your name and the location of the crash or the date it occurred. There is a $6 fee for the report, which is typically available 5-7 working days after the crash.
Alternatively, you can obtain a crash report (officially known as Form CR-3) from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT provides a Crash Records Information System that allows individuals to request their report online and receive it via email. This system requires you to know one or more of the following:
- The name of someone involved in the crash
- The driver’s license number of someone in the collision
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a vehicle in the crash
- The TxDOT Crash ID
There is a small fee for these reports, usually $6. TxDOT reports it could take up to 14 days after a crash to upload your police report into its system.
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What Can I Learn From the Dallas Police Report About My Accident?
When the responding officer completes Form CR-3, they include comprehensive information about your accident.
General Information About the Crash
You can confirm the time, date, and location of your accident by looking at the police report. You should contact the law enforcement agency if this information needs to be corrected.
Details About Who Was Involved
The crash report will include information about the drivers involved in the accident, such as:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license state, number, and status
- Their age and gender
- If the officer tested someone for drugs or alcohol and the results of those tests
- Insurance company and policy number
The report also includes general information about all passengers and witnesses who talked to the officer about what they saw.
Information About the Vehicles Involved
The officer will include the make and model of all cars involved, as well as their license plate numbers and vehicle identification numbers (VIN).
Any Injuries Sustained in the Crash
The report will provide general information about the well-being of those involved. This section will include where they were in the car, if they wore a seatbelt, whether the airbag deployed, and if they suffered injuries or died. The form also provides space for the ambulance number and hospital for those requiring ambulance transportation.
Whether They Issued Citations
If anyone involved in the collision received a citation, their name and citation number will be on the report.
The Officer’s Narrative About What Happened
The responding officer will provide a general account of what they believe caused the crash, along with their name and badge number. They also have space to draw a diagram of the scene.
Why Is My Dallas Crash Report Important?
A crash report is crucial evidence for holding another driver legally responsible for your injuries, vehicle damage, and financial losses. It provides an impartial view of the cause of the accident from a trained party experienced in handling similar crashes.
The accident report will show any citations issued against the other driver, whether they were drunk or drugged at the time, and how the officer believes the collision happened.
These reports also confirm your injuries occurred in the collision, which can be essential in recovering fair compensation from insurance companies.
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What If I Disagree With the Information Included in the Police Accident Report?
If you notice errors of fact in your crash report, contact the responding officer or the law enforcement agency immediately. They may ask you for additional documentation, but it is imperative that all general information in the report, such as the date, time, location, your name, and vehicle information, is correct.
If you take issue with their report on how the accident occurred, your best option is to develop a compelling case to have the report edited. You could gather witness statements, photographs from the scene, video of the crash, accident reconstruction reports, or other evidence.
It can be difficult to win a fair payout when the crash report does not support your version of events. Thus, you should discuss your options with a Dallas car accident lawyer if you find yourself in this situation. Their experience with similar cases could make a difference.
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What Should I Do if I’m Hurt in a Dallas Traffic Accident?
If you sustained an injury in a Dallas collision, you must focus on your injuries and healing first. Once you receive treatment and your condition stabilizes, you should consider how an attorney can help you get justice. They can identify and analyze the evidence and fight for maximum compensation based on your accident facts.
The statute of limitations on car accident cases is generally two years under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Still, you want to act quickly so your lawyer can preserve evidence immediately.
Discuss Your Dallas Collision With Our Team for Free
Clay Jenkins & Associates has a long history of winning car accident cases for our clients. We have helped thousands of individuals and families recover compensation after Texas injury accidents. We could help if you suffered injuries or lost a family member in a car crash. We offer free initial case consultations and work based on contingency.
Contact us now for your free case review with our team.
Call or text (972) 938-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form