Understanding How to Obtain Crash and Accident Records in Texas

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Texas for advice specific to your situation.

Detailed answer

If a law enforcement officer responded to a motor vehicle crash in Texas, the investigating agency usually completes a standardized crash report (commonly called the CR‑3). That report and related records are the primary documents you will need for an insurance claim or to evaluate legal options.

Where the report is filed and who can get it

In Texas, investigating agencies file crash reports with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and keep copies in their records. You can request the report from:

• The law enforcement agency that investigated the crash (city police, county sheriff, or highway patrol).
• TxDOT crash records (the statewide Crash Records Information System).

See TxDOT’s crash-records information: https://www.txdot.gov/government/enforcement/crash-records.html.

What the standard crash report includes

A CR‑3 crash report typically contains:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Names of drivers and owners of the vehicles involved
• Vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers
• Injury severity (if reported)
• Contributing factors (e.g., failure to yield, speeding)
• A short narrative and diagram prepared by the officer

How to request the report

1. Identify the investigating agency. The agency name is often on the crash report number or on any initial paperwork you received at the scene.
2. Contact the agency’s records division or website. Many departments have an online request form, an email address, or a phone number for records requests.
3. Provide enough information to locate the report: date, approximate time, location, names of parties, and report number (if available).
4. Be prepared to pay copying or processing fees. Fees vary by agency and by whether you want certified copies or electronic files.

When you need more than the CR‑3: obtaining supplemental or detailed evidence

The CR‑3 is a summary. If you need more detailed materials for an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can try to obtain:

• Supplemental reports and collision reconstruction reports (if prepared)
• Officers’ narrative supplements and investigative notes
• Photographs, diagrams, and dash‑cam or body‑cam video
• Witness statements taken by the agency

To request those records, submit a written request to the investigating agency under the Texas Public Information Act. The Act governs public access to government records and sets a response timeline and allowed redactions. See the Public Information Act: Texas Gov. Code § 552.

What the agency must—and may not—release

Crash reports (CR‑3 forms) are generally available to the public. However, certain information may be redacted or withheld, such as:

• Information protected by privacy laws (for example, certain personal identifiers)
• Information that would interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation
• Medical or otherwise confidential details, where allowed by law

If a requested item is withheld, the agency must identify the legal basis for withholding it and follow the Texas Public Information Act procedures.

Timing, fees, and common waits

Timing varies. Many departments post crash reports online or fulfill requests within days. If you submit a Public Information Act request for additional investigative materials, agencies generally have a set notice period (often up to 10 business days) to respond, though complex requests can take longer. Fees depend on the agency and the format requested.

When you should involve an attorney

If you need records that the agency refuses to produce, or if the records are critical to a serious personal injury or wrongful death claim, an attorney can:

• Draft Public Information Act requests
• File subpoenas to obtain records in litigation
• Work to recover unredacted or withheld materials when the law allows

Helpful hints

• Start with the investigating agency. They usually provide the fastest route to the CR‑3.
• Use TxDOT’s Crash Records system for a statewide copy or if you don’t know the agency: TxDOT Crash Records.
• When requesting records, give precise identifiers: date, time, location, report number, and names involved. This speeds retrieval.
• Ask for crash photos, diagrams, and videos specifically—agencies sometimes file those separately from the CR‑3.
• Keep copies of all correspondence and payment receipts when you request records.
• If you see factual errors in the CR‑3, contact the investigating agency promptly to request correction or clarification.
• If records are withheld or redacted and you need them for a claim, consult a Texas attorney promptly about next steps (subpoena or motion to compel in litigation).
• Remember privacy and legal limits. Some material may be legitimately redacted or withheld under the Texas Public Information Act: Gov. Code § 552.
• Preserve your own evidence: take your own photos of vehicles and the scene, preserve medical records, and write down witness contact information quickly.

If you need a report for an insurance claim or possible lawsuit, start the records request early so you have time to review the material and, if necessary, seek legal help.