Police officers are often dispatched to the scene of a crash when there is significant damage or someone has been injured. The police investigate crash scenes and determine how a crash occurred. All information and evidence collected at the scene of a crash will be documented by the investigating agency and included in a peace officer's crash report.
How will a peace officer's crash report help my claim?
When pursuing a car or truck accident claim, the insurance company who represents the at-fault driver will likely try to pin the blame on you. In many cases, the at-fault driver will admit fault or leave behind critical evidence proving that negligence occurred. His or her insurance company may try to tell a different story, however.
The police who investigated your crash aren't there to take sides. While the information documented on a police report may be unbiased, it's important that you ensure that it's accurate. You can obtain a copy of your Texas peace officer's crash report online for a fee of $6 ($8 for a certified copy) at TxDOT's website. If you use the online purchase system, you will receive your report once it becomes available. An experienced Texas car accident attorney can also obtain a copy your report.
What will I find on my peace officer's crash report?
Page 1 — Here, you'll find basic information such as the time, date, and location of the crash; personal and vehicle information of drivers involved; if anyone sustained an injury or fatality; property damage; and charges or citations issued by police.
Page 2 — Here, you'll find information on passengers involved; types of crashes; details about injuries and fatalities; a written narrative on how an officer believes the crash occurred; and a drawn diagram indicating how the crash occurred.
Page 3 — Here, you'll find information pertaining to commercial vehicles. The information on this page only applies if you were in a crash involving a commercial vehicle.
Click here for a downloadable PDF and visual reference of what you can expect to find on your report.
A Texas car accident attorney can help you build a solid case
Your crash report is only one critical piece of evidence used to build your case. More supporting evidence may be gathered by your attorney, including:
- Statements from witnesses. With a witness statement, it's no longer your word against the other driver's. A witness may also have captured your crash on a dash-cam.
- Surveillance video footage. Obtaining footage can be difficult and must be done before the footage is recorded over or discarded.
- Subpoena for cellphone records. Cellphone records can indicate if the at-fault driver was driving while distracted at the time of the crash.
- Medical documentation. Your medical records or medical evaluation can prove that you sustained injuries from a crash and were diagnosed by a doctor.
If you were injured in a crash, attorney Jeff Weinstein can help you build a solid case and fight for a fair financial settlement on your behalf. Attorney Weinstein has more than 20 years of experience serving clients in Henderson County. To schedule your free and confidential legal consultation, contact us online.