How to Get a Copy of Your Car Accident Report in Texas: A Step-by-Step Guide
After a car accident in Texas, one of the most important documents you’ll need is the official Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (also called a CR-3 report). Insurance companies, attorneys, and medical providers all rely on this report because it contains the critical details necessary to open and process your claim. If you don’t have the other driver’s insurance information or weren’t able to gather everything at the scene, the crash report is often the only way to get it.
Here's everything you need to know about how to get your accident report quickly and correctly.
Where to Get Your Texas Crash Report
Texas makes crash reports available through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crash report website.
You can request your report online at:
TxDOT Crash Report Search & Purchase System (CRIS)
(You provided the link: https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records.html)
The report typically costs about $8 for a standard copy and $10–$12 for a certified copy.
A certified copy is only needed if you plan on presenting the report in court.
When Will Your Report Be Available?
Crash reports are not available immediately.
In most cases:
It takes about 7–14 days for the officer to complete and upload the report.
Some departments (like Houston PD or Dallas PD) may take longer depending on workload, severity of the crash, or if a reconstruction is required.
If your report doesn’t show up on your first search, wait a few days and try again.
What You Need Before Searching
To find your crash report online, have at least one of the following:
Case number or report number (usually given by the responding officer)
Your full name
The other driver’s name
Date of the accident
Location of the accident
Having the case/report number makes the search faster — but you can still find the report without it using name/date combinations.
Tips for Searching the TxDOT Crash Report System
Because the system can be sensitive to spelling and formatting, try several variations to increase your chance of finding the report:
Try different combinations like:
Your full name + date of the accident
Other driver’s name + date
Just your last name + the date
City + date + one party’s name
Sometimes reports are entered with slight spelling variations or missing middle initials. Testing multiple combinations helps ensure you locate it as soon as it’s uploaded.
Why Your Crash Report Matters
The accident report includes essential information you often cannot get anywhere else, such as:
The other driver’s insurance company and policy number
Who the investigating officer believes was at fault
Diagrams of the crash
Witness names and contact information
Road and weather conditions
Citations that were issued
Statements from both drivers
You need this information to open a claim, recover compensation, and protect your rights. If you don’t know the other driver’s insurance company, the crash report is usually the only place to find it.
What to Do After You Get Your Report
Once you download the crash report:
Open a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Provide them with:
Crash report
Your contact info
Your vehicle info
Avoid giving recorded statements before speaking with an attorney.
Contact a personal injury lawyer if you’re injured or unsure how to proceed.
An attorney can help interpret the report, correct errors, and use it to prove liability.
