New Braunfels Crash Reports

According to the Texas Transportation Code, drivers must file a Crash Report (Form CR-3) within 10 days of the accident if it is not investigated by a police officer and it results in injury, death, or property damage greater than $1,000. If the accident is investigated by a police officer, the officer will submit the report to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) within 10 days of the date of the crash.

Crash reports are required in Texas when an accident occurs that results in injury to or death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more. Crash reports are also required when an accident involves a hit and run, a gas drive off, a burglary of a coin operated machine, identity theft, credit card abuse, internet fraud, theft, theft of service, vandalism, or graffiti.

The Texas Transportation Code specifies that certain persons are entitled to obtain a copy of a crash report in Texas, such as the driver involved in the crash, the owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the crash, a person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the crash, an insurance company that issued a policy covering a vehicle involved in the crash, 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, or a person who may sue because of death resulting from the crash. However, some information in the crash report may be confidential and not available to the public, such as the name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, date of birth, and social security number of a person involved in the crash.

Failing to file a police report after an accident in Texas can have serious consequences, such as criminal charges, civil liability, and insurance problems. If the accident results or is reasonably likely to result in injury to or death of a person, the driver must stop at the scene of the crash and remain there until the requirements of Section 550.023 of the Texas Transportation Code are met, which include providing information, rendering aid, and showing a driver’s license if requested. Failing to do so is a criminal offense that can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a felony of the second degree, depending on the severity of the injury or death. If the accident results only in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person, the driver must stop at the scene of the crash or as close as possible and exchange information with the other driver or owner of the damaged vehicle or property. Failing to do so is a Class C misdemeanor. If the accident results in damage to an unattended vehicle or other property, the driver must locate the owner or operator of the vehicle or property and provide information or leave a written notice in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle or property. Failing to do so is a Class B misdemeanor. In addition to criminal penalties, failing to file a police report after an accident in Texas can also expose the driver to civil liability for the damages caused by the accident, as well as affect the driver’s insurance coverage and rates.