The accident report filed by responding law enforcement officers will play a critical role in your insurance claim after a traffic accident. To get the crash report for your Waxahachie, TX, accident, you must follow a specific process and request the paperwork.
When you hire a Waxahachie car accident lawyer to represent you, they will navigate this process and gather other evidence to support your insurance claim, including the crash report. Then, they will develop your case while you continue your treatment and recovery.
How Do I Obtain the Police Report After a Waxahachie Crash?
Did the Waxahachie Police Department respond to your collision? You can request your crash report online using the LexisNexis BuyCrash portal. You will need to know at least two of the following:
- The last name of someone involved in the crash
- The date of the collision
- The location of the accident
There is a small fee for using this service, and you should receive your report via email shortly after your purchase.
What if Another Agency Handled the Crash Scene?
If a different law enforcement agency (e.g., the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office) responded, you could request the crash report from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The TxDOT Crash Report Purchase Portal allows you to search, request, and receive your report online. You can search using any of the following information:
- Your name or the name of anyone involved in the collision
- The driver’s license number of an involved driver
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of one of the cars
- The TxDOT Crash ID
This service generally costs $6. Your report may not appear in this portal for up to two weeks.
For a free legal consultation, call (972) 938-1234
What Information Is in a Waxahachie Crash Report?
Crash reports—also known as a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report or Form CR-3—are the official paperwork that police officers complete following a Waxahachie collision. These reports include a lot of information about the crash and who was involved, such as:
- The time, date, and location of your accident
- Driver contact and license information
- Detailed information about the vehicles involved
- Test results for drugs or alcohol performed at the scene
- Each driver’s auto insurance company name and policy number
- Name and contact information for all passengers and witnesses
- Whether anyone involved in the crash was hurt or killed
- If the officer issued any citations
The responding officer will complete this form, including their name and badge number. It also includes an area for a narrative or diagram where they can detail how they believed the accident occurred.
When Do I Need to Get a Crash Report in Waxahachie?
If you plan to file an insurance claim based on your Waxahachie crash, you must obtain the report filed by the responding officer. You will need the report for many property damage claims against your collision coverage. Additionally, it’s crucial evidence in fault-based claims when victims sustained injuries due to another party’s careless driving.
Other evidence used to establish fault and liability in these cases include:
- Eyewitness statements
- Surveillance or traffic camera video
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction
- Expert testimony
If you work with a personal injury lawyer, they will manage this process. They have the experience, skill, and resources to investigate your accident correctly and develop a case that supports fair compensation.
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How Important Is the Crash Report to My Waxahachie Accident Claim?
Crash reports are often critical evidence in a car accident claim or personal injury lawsuit because the law enforcement officer provides an unbiased report based on their training and experience that explains what they believe occurred in the crash.
Insurance adjusters, judges, and jurors generally trust these peace officers to provide correct information and accurately assess what happened. Thus, if their report finds the other driver caused the accident, it becomes easier to establish their liability for your injuries and damages and that you deserve a fair payout based on your documented expenses and losses.
It is possible to win a case and recover the money you need for medical care, lost income, car repairs, pain and suffering, and more when the police crash report does not match your version of events. However, pursuing this type of case requires convincing evidence to document what happened and counter the officer’s narrative.
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What Are My Rights After a Waxahachie Injury Crash?
If you sustained injuries in a collision in Waxahachie, you have rights, including the right to pursue a case against the driver who caused your crash because they:
- Acted carelessly or recklessly.
- Violated traffic laws.
- Drove while intoxicated.
- Drove distracted.
- Drove drowsy or fell asleep behind the wheel.
As the victims of a Texas traffic accident, you and your passengers also have these rights:
- You can pursue fair compensation by holding the at-fault driver responsible.
- You can hire a car accident lawyer to manage your claim or lawsuit.
- You can file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the crash, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.
- Immediate family members can sue for the wrongful death of a loved one, often with help from a wrongful death lawyer.
To learn more about your rights and options for pursuing a payout in your Waxahachie car accident case, contact a personal injury lawyer near you as soon as possible after your injuries stabilize.
Get a Free Case Assessment of Your Waxahachie Injury Accident
A team member from Clay Jenkins & Associates will review your Waxahachie car accident injury case for free. We provide free consultations for injured parties or those who lost a loved one in a Texas crash.
We have helped thousands of families and individuals get their crash reports as they pursue the justice and compensation they deserve, and we can help you, too. Contact us today for your free initial case review.
Call or text (972) 938-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form