Texas Department Of Public Safety Crash Reports

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), it may take up to 14 business days for a crash report to be available online. However, some law enforcement agencies may take longer to submit the report to TxDOT. You can check the status of your report by using the Crash Report Online Purchase System or by contacting the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash.

Your Texas crash report, often referred to as the Texas Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), is a key sheet that gives details about the accident. It covers when and where it took place, the cars and people involved, and injuries. You might need this paper to:

- Make a claim with your insurance or the other driver's.
- Ask for money for your injuries and damaged things from the person at fault or their insurance.
- Show who caused the accident in legal situations.
- Correct any wrong details in the report that might impact your claim or issue.

If you find any factual errors in your crash report, such as the accident’s location or the crash date, you can contact the law enforcement officer who filed the report and request a correction. Generally, they will amend the existing report rather than create a new one. However, if you disagree with the officer’s opinions or conclusions in the report, such as who was at fault or what caused the crash, they may not be willing to change the report. In that case, you can submit a supplemental statement or evidence to TxDOT or to the court to challenge the report’s findings.

In Texas, car accidents will generally stay on your driving record for three years from the accident date. During this time, the accident will be visible to insurance companies and potential employers who conduct background checks. However, car accidents may stay on your insurance record for longer than three years, depending on your insurance company’s policies and practices. Some insurance companies may use a longer look-back period to determine your rates or eligibility for coverage. Therefore, it is advisable to check with your insurance company about how long they keep track of your accidents and how they affect your premiums.