How to Get an Accident (Crash) Report in Baytown, TX

You can get a copy of your accident report in Baytown, TX, through the Baytown Police Department or online through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Having a copy of your crash report is essential if your collision was caused by someone else’s negligence and you are interested in taking legal action against them.

The only way you may be able to recover the compensation you deserve is by proving that another party’s conduct is responsible for the accident you were involved in or the injuries you sustained.

When your injuries are all-consuming, you do not need to initiate the claims process on your own. Your dedicated Baytown car accident lawyer from Zinda Law Group can guide you through the process and handle the legalities on your behalf.

Here is more about the advantages that come with getting an accident (crash) report in Baytown, TX, what information should be included in this report, and how we can use it to maximize your settlement.

The Importance of a Crash Report 

Your Baytown car accident report could be one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your insurance and civil claims. These claims can only be successful if we can prove the liable party’s negligence.

In civil lawsuits, the burden of proof is based on a preponderance of the evidence as described by Colorado Revised Statutes Chapter 6: Damages for Injuries to Persons or Property.

Evidence presented to the insurance company or at trial must be clear and convincing. It must demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty of care and breached it. We must show that this breach was the cause of your injuries and that you have been adversely affected by your resulting damages and injuries.

The crash report can help the jury feel confident that the defendant is at fault. It can convince them that the defendant is more likely than not responsible for causing the accident. This is the type of powerful evidence you need to win at trial.

Information Contained in a Car Accident Crash Filing 

You may be interested to learn what types of information are included in a car accident crash report filing. Your Baytown truck accident lawyer will be able to obtain a wide variety of details from the responding officer’s crash report. Some of this information might include:

• The names of all involved parties
• Both involved parties’ driver’s license information
• The color, make, and models of all involved vehicles
• A description of how the collision occurred
• Any indication of what might have caused the accident
• In some cases, determination of liability
• The police officer’s contact information
• Whether any parties involved received a traffic citation

This is not a complete representation of the information that could be included in your crash report. There may be more or less information, depending on the circumstances of your case.

However, if you file a claim with the insurance company or your case goes to trial, the crash report can be used to help verify and establish liability.

Who Is Responsible for Filing an Accident Report in Baytown, TX?

After being involved in an accident, the Texas Transportation Code requires a crash report to be filed after a collision.

Generally, you may be required to report the accident to law enforcement officials if the collision resulted in any injury or death to any person involved or if there is more than $1,000 in property damage as described under Texas Transportation Code §550.062. The police report is formally known as the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for overseeing collected crash reports. Your crash report may not be available immediately after the accident.

If you are unable to locate a copy of your accident report, do not hesitate to contact your Baytown motorcycle accident lawyer with Zinda Law Group so we can get the legal documents we need to move forward with your case.

Where to Get Your Car Accident Report 

You can reach out to the Baytown Police Department to request a copy of your car accident report. The police department is located at 3200 N Main Street, Baytown, TX 77521. However, it is important to note that the Records Division is only open between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

If you opt to visit the Baytown Police Department to request a copy of your crash report, you should be prepared to pay a processing fee. If you mail your request in by certified letter, the fee is eight dollars. Otherwise, you can pay a six-dollar fee through money order, business check, or cash.

If you want to pay with a debit or credit card, you will need to do so online. You can use the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Report Online System. The fee for requesting a crash report online is also six dollars.

What Happens if Your Crash Report Is Unavailable?

In some cases, your crash report may not be immediately available. It could take as long as 14 days for your accident report to be available online. In some instances, the crash report form CR-3 may not have been completed.

If this is the case, the open records division may be able to get you a copy of your complaint through the Public Information Act. The Baytown Police Records Division can give you more information if you contact them at 281-420-6626. Or, contact your legal representative at our firm for guidance. 

Get in Touch with an Experienced Baytown Car Accident Attorney Today

While you are still recuperating from your injuries, you should not have to worry about how to get your crash report, a car accident investigation, or pursuing a civil lawsuit.

Your dedicated Baytown personal injury lawyer can handle these details on your behalf so you can get the financial support you need when you need it most.

Zinda Law Group has over a century of combined trial experience and a powerful history of million-dollar trial verdicts and settlements, so you can feel confident in our ability to recover the fair compensation you deserve.

You should not have to deal with the fallout of the collision while the at-fault party moves forward with their life unscathed. They should be ordered to repay you for the full value of your emotional distress, physical injuries, and financial losses.

Fill out our online contact form or call our office today to schedule your free consultation and bring the liable party to justice.