Dallas Crash Reports

In Texas, failing to report a car accident, especially if it resulted in injury, death, or major property damage (over $1,000), can lead to legal penalties. These penalties may include fines, loss of driver's license, and in some cases, jail time. Under Texas Transportation Code §550.062, you are required to file a car accident report within ten days of an incident that results in any of these outcomes. If a law enforcement officer responds to the accident scene, they may file a report, potentially absolving you of this responsibility​​​​​​​​​​.

The Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (Form CR-3) is a critical document containing detailed information about your accident in numerical code. This report is divided into sections across multiple pages, providing a comprehensive overview of the accident, including the time, place, damage, presence of intoxication, contributing factors, injuries, citations, property damage, and more. Each page focuses on different aspects:

Page 1: Traffic accident overview, including location, time, and vehicle information.
Page 2: Details on injuries, citations, and property damage.
Pages 3 & 4: Explanation of various codes used in the report, such as for contributing factors and vehicle damage​​​​​​.

In Texas, most minor accidents stay on your driving record for three years. This timeframe applies to accidents with less than $1,000 in damage and no injuries or fatalities. More severe accidents may remain on your record for a longer period. Generally, accidents can stay on a driving record for three to 13 years, depending on the severity. Insurance companies typically consider the last three to five years of your driving history when calculating premiums​​​​​​​​.

A Texas accident report, including those issued by the Dallas Police Department, contains comprehensive information about the accident. This includes numerical codes detailing time, location, vehicle details, driver and passenger information, injury severity, alcohol and drug testing, vehicular damage, and more. The report's structure is critical for insurance claims and legal matters​​​​​​.

For Dallas-specific inquiries or to obtain a copy of an accident report, you can contact the Dallas Police Department Open Records Unit. They are located at 1400 Botham Jean, Dallas, Texas 75215. You can reach them by phone at (214) 671-3001 for general inquiries or (214) 671-3345 for specific report-related questions. Requests for accident reports, offense reports, arrest reports, or specialized information from records can be made in person or through the mail, usually with a nominal fee​​​​.