Houston Crash Reports

According to the Texas Transportation Code, any law enforcement officer who investigates a motor vehicle crash must submit a written report of that crash to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) not later than the tenth day after the date of the crash. However, this does not mean that the report will be available to the public immediately. TxDOT may take some time to process and verify the report before making it accessible through their online system. The availability of the report may vary depending on the complexity of the crash, the workload of the agency, and the accuracy of the information provided by the officer. Generally, it may take up to two weeks or more for the report to be available online.

If you need a copy of your Texas accident report, you can check the status of your report by using the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System You will need to provide some basic information about the crash, such as the date, time, location, county, and names of the drivers involved. You can also contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash and request a copy of the report directly from them. For example, if your crash was investigated by the Houston Police Department (HPD), you can visit their website and follow their instructions on how to obtain a copy of your report. You may need to pay a fee for obtaining a copy of your report, depending on the method and agency you choose.

Your Texas crash report is an important document that contains detailed information about your motor vehicle accident. It can help you in several ways, such as:

- Filing a claim with your insurance company: Your crash report can provide evidence of how the accident happened, who was at fault, what damages and injuries were caused, and whether any citations were issued. This can help you prove your case and get fair compensation from your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company.

- Seeking legal action: If you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver or another liable party, your crash report can support your claim and show that you deserve compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Your crash report can also help you determine the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Texas, which is generally two years from the date of the accident.

- Protecting your rights: Your crash report can help you avoid any false or fraudulent claims from the other party or their insurance company. It can also help you correct any errors or inaccuracies that may affect your claim or lawsuit.

Therefore, it is important to obtain a copy of your Texas crash report as soon as possible after your accident and review it carefully for any errors or missing information. You should also keep a copy of your report in a safe place and share it with your insurance company and your attorney if you have one.

If you notice any errors or omissions in your Texas crash report, you should contact the law enforcement agency that prepared the report and request a correction or amendment. You may need to provide proof or documentation to support your request, such as photographs, witness statements, medical records, or vehicle repair estimates. The agency may review your request and decide whether to make any changes to the report. The process and time frame for correcting or amending a crash report may vary depending on the agency and the nature of the error.

For example, if your crash was investigated by the HPD, you can submit a request for correction or amendment by mail or in person at their Records Division. You will need to fill out a form and attach a copy of your crash report and any supporting documents. The HPD will review your request and notify you of their decision within 30 days. If they approve your request, they will send you an updated copy of your crash report. If they deny your request, they will explain their reasons and inform you of your right to appeal.

Due to their confidential nature, crash reports are not available for online viewing by the general public1. However, certain individuals and entities are entitled to obtain a copy of a crash report in Texas under Section 550.065 of the Texas Transportation Code. These include:

- A person directly concerned in the accident or having proper interest therein, including:
- A driver involved in the accident
- An employer, parent, or legal guardian of a driver involved in the accident
- A person injured in the accident
- A person who owns property damaged in the accident
- A person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the accident
- An insurance company that issued an insurance policy covering a vehicle involved in the accident
- An insurance company that issued an insurance policy covering any person involved in the accident
- A person under contract to provide claims or underwriting information to a person described above
- A radio or television station that holds a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission
- A newspaper that is a free newspaper of general circulation or qualified under Section 2051.044, Government Code, to publish legal notices
- A person who may sue because of death resulting from the accident
- Any person who provides the Department with two or more of the following:
- The date of the crash
- The name of any person involved in the crash
- The specific location of the crash
- A governmental entity that is authorized by law to obtain the report

To obtain a copy of a crash report in Texas, you will need to provide some information that identifies the crash, such as the crash ID number, the date, time, location, county, and names of the drivers involved. You will also need to provide your name, address, phone number, email address, driver’s license number, and the reason for your request. You may need to pay a fee for obtaining a copy of your report, depending on the method and agency you choose.