Texas Crash Report Use in Personal Injury Cases
If you are injured in an accident, it is important to make sure an accident report (also referred to as a Texas crash report) is completed. If you’re injured in an accident, the police should come out and complete a Texas crash report – but that doesn’t always happen. This is particularly true when the injuries are not immediately apparent. Very serious injuries – to the spine and brain – may be hidden by the rush of adrenaline that comes after an accident.
Types of Crash Reports in Texas
In Texas, there are two types of crash reports: the CR-2 and the CR-3.
CR-2 Crash Reports in Texas
The CR-2 is a blue form that drivers involved in a crash must fill out and submit to your local police department within 10 days if there was any injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. This form collects basic information about the drivers, passengers, and vehicles involved in the crash, as well as details about the location, weather, and contributing factors. As of September 1, 2017 the Texas Department of Public Safety does not keep these forms. That means you can’t obtain a blank CR-2 form from a local DPS office and you don’t submit the completed application to DPS. Instead, you will submit the CR-2 crash report to local law enforcement.
Free Fillable Texas Blue Form
Texas Driver’s Crash Report Form Blue Form
CR-3 Crash Reports in Texas
The CR-3, on the other hand, is a more detailed report completed by law enforcement officers for all crashes occurring on public roads and highways, regardless of the severity. This report is submitted to TxDOT and contains much more comprehensive information about the crash, including statements from witnesses and involved parties, diagrams of the accident scene, and a narrative description of what happened.
Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report CR3 Accident Report
What is the difference between a CR-2 and a CR-3 Texas Crash Report?
| CR-3 Crash Report | CR-2 Crash Report | |
| Purpose | To report a crash involving injuries or death | To report a crash involving property damage (or injuries that were not readily apparent) |
| Who Files | Law enforcement | Individuals involved in the accident |
| Applicability | Required when there is a crash resulting in injury or death, or when requested by law enforcement | Required when there is a crash involving property damage of $1,000 or more, or when requested by law enforcement |
| Filing Deadline | Must be filed within 10 days of the crash | Must be filed within 10 days of the crash |
| Information Collected | Driver information, vehicle information, insurance information, witness information, details of the crash, and any injuries or fatalities | Driver information, vehicle information, insurance information, details of the crash, and any injuries or fatalities |
| Filing Location | Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) | Local law enforcement |
How to Understand a Texas Crash Report: CR3 Code Sheet
Texas Crash Reports use a number of short codes and abbreviations. Here’s the official decoder for Texas Crash Reports.
Obtaining a Texas Crash Report
If you were involved in a crash and an officer responded to the scene, a CR-3 report should have been filed and can be obtained from TxDOT. These reports are typically available within 10 days of the crash and can be requested online, by mail, or in person at a TxDOT regional office.
If a law enforcement officer did not respond to the scene, you will need to fill out and submit a CR-2 form to law enforcement. This can be done online, by mail, or in person at a TxDOT regional office.
It’s important to note that there may be a fee associated with obtaining a crash report, depending on the type of report and how it is requested.
Information Contained in a Crash Report
Whether it’s a CR-2 or CR-3 report, both contain valuable information that can be used in personal injury or wrongful death cases. Some of the key pieces of information included in these reports include:
- Date, time, and location of the crash
- Weather conditions at the time of the crash
- Names and contact information of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses involved
- Description of injuries sustained and medical treatment received
- Statements from involved parties and witnesses
- Diagrams or photos of the accident scene and damage to the vehicles
- Citations issued to any drivers involved
This information can be crucial in determining fault and liability in a personal injury case. For example, witness statements or photos of the accident scene may help establish that the other driver was at fault, while medical reports and treatment records can help show the extent of your injuries and damages.
How do you order a CR-3 Crash Report in Texas?
To order a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) online, follow these steps:
- Visit the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Crash Reports website.
- Click on the “Purchase a Crash Report” button.
- Enter the required information, including the date of the crash, the county where the crash occurred, and the names of the drivers involved in the crash.
- Pay the required fee using a credit or debit card.
- Once your payment is processed, you will be able to download and print a copy of the CR-3 crash report.
- If you encounter any issues or have questions about the process, contact TxDOT at (800) 299-1700.
Use of Crash Reports in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Cases
If you were involved in a car accident in Texas and are pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death case, a crash report can be an important piece of evidence in your case. The information contained in the report can help establish fault and liability, as well as provide valuable context and evidence to support your claim.
For example, if you were injured in a car accident and the other driver was found to be at fault, the crash report can provide evidence of the other
