Understanding Texas Accident Reports

Accident reports have information that could be critical to your case.

How to Read a Texas Police Accident Report

Understanding your accident report is essential when you’re trying to recover compensation from a car wreck. Many insurers require this report before even considering your claim. It’s absolutely vital to grasp the officer’s account if you’ve endured injuries and/or property damage.

We know first-hand that recovering from an accident isn’t easy, but decoding your report should be. For your reference, we’ve provided a sample Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report form below.

We recommend obtaining your report promptly from the Texas Department of Transportation. If you face any obstacles, our attorneys are here to assist you in obtaining a copy.

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What Details Are on a Texas Accident Report?

To see what a Texas Accident Report looks like, click here.

A police report starts with the date, time and location of the collision. It should indicate if it was on a street, highway, parking lot, construction zone, school zone or other area.

An accident report will also note if the crash had a fatality and if a school bus or commercial vehicle was involved. If an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle was involved, other details will be added to the accident report, including the vehicle’s size, weight, cargo and owner.

Vehicle Information

Vehicle and driver information should include:

The vehicle’s license plate number and issued state
The vehicle’s VIN, or vehicle identification number
The vehicle’s color, year, make, model and body style
Estimated damages to the vehicle
If the vehicle was towed, who towed it and the location where it was towed to

Driver Information

Driver information in an accident report should include:

Each driver’s name, address and phone number
Driver’s license details for each driver, including the type of license (commercial or private), driver’s license number and state
The occupation and ethnic background of each driver
Proof of financial responsibility (otherwise known as car insurance)

A police accident report also should note if a sobriety test was given to a driver for possible alcohol or other drug use, the kind of specimen taken, and the results of the test. If charges were filed, that may also be noted.

Passengers

Along with the name and badge number of the responding officer, police accident reports should also list details on the passengers and even bystanders at the scene of an accident. Passenger information should include:

Whether a safety restraint was used, and if so, what kind
Seating position
If the passenger was ejected from the vehicle
The seriousness of a passenger’s injuries

For injuries suffered by drivers, passengers or bystanders in a collision, the report should list where the victims were taken.

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Police Opinions in an Accident Report

Typically, police don’t witness the accidents they evaluate. Instead, they form conclusions about the incident for the accident report, drawing from information collected at the scene.

Under the report’s section labeled “Factors and Conditions,” officers provide a written account of their insights into how and why they think the accident transpired, which may encompass details about weather, road conditions, and traffic controls.

Officers might also sketch a visual representation of their interpretation of the crash. However, it’s important to note that, like their written account, this diagram represents their viewpoint and might not precisely depict the actual events of the accident.

What If an Accident Report Is Wrong?

If there’s an error in your accident report, a seasoned attorney can help you challenge it.

For example, on page 2 of the report, there’s an “Injury Code” column. An incorrect code here could significantly impact your healthcare compensation claim. This page also details the “Factors and Conditions” of the accident, which the officer might have gotten wrong. A well-informed car accident lawyer can identify and fix such mistakes.

This accuracy is crucial, as insurance companies often reference the crash report when determining compensation for your injuries. An incorrect report that doesn’t favor you can result in you missing out on rightful payments.

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Who Can View An Accident Report?

Under Texas Transportation Code §550.065, crash reports can be released to those “directly concerned in the accident or having a legitimate interest therein” upon a written request and payment of the necessary fees. This pertains to individuals directly involved in the accident, and extends to their authorized representative, employer, parent, or legal guardian.

If you’re a victim, an injury lawyer from Jim Adler & Associates can act as your authorized representative. We’re here to help you navigate and comprehend the details of a car accident report.

Reach out to us for a complimentary case review today.

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