After a car accident, your priority should be getting medical care and documenting what happened. Yet, at some point, you will need to get a copy of a police report, which provides details about what happened from the police’s point of view. How do you get a copy of a police report for a car accident in Texas? Here is how to do so with the help of a San Antonio car accident attorney.
Turn to the Local Police Station
The most direct way to get a copy of the police report is to visit the local police station in the city where the accident took place. In most situations, it will be these police officers who respond to the scene and complete the investigation. However, that is not always the case.
In most situations, your first step is to visit the local police department’s website, if available, to determine where to obtain a copy of the police report in person. Some of the larger cities have online portals that allow you to request a copy of the report online.
Get a Copy from the State
The Texas Department of Transportation receives a copy of all police reports from police accidents across the state. The local law enforcement agency typically will send this information to the state. In situations where the state highway patrol responded to the accident, you will find the police report is likely filed with the state already.
The most direct way to get a copy of a police report from the state is to use the state’s Crash Report Online Purchase System for Texas. This system allows you to enter your specific information from the accident into the online database, and it will produce the report on file. You will need:
- The name of someone involved in the accident
- A driver’s license number for a person who is involved in the crash
- The vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved in the accident
- The TxDOT Crash ID number that is assigned to the case
As long as you have one of these items, you should be able to locate the police report in the state’s database. You can then request a copy of it to be sent to you and pay an applicable fee.
Requesting a Police Report By Mail
Another way to get a copy of your police report from the state is to submit a request by mail. You can do that by sending a request to the TxDOT directly. Start by completing the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, Form CR-91. You will need to identify yourself as someone who was involved in the accident to obtain it. You will then print the form and mail it to:
Crash Data and Analysis
Texas Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 12879
Austin, Texas 78711
You will need to submit a payment of $8 as a personal check or money order. It can take about 20 days to receive the police report in this manner.
Your Attorney Can Help You Through the Process
For victims of a car accident, your focus needs to be on your recovery. Your car accident lawyer in Texas can handle obtaining a copy of the police report for you. You do not have to go through this process on your own. It is always wise to work through an attorney to navigate these steps.