How to Read a Texas Crash Report: A Simple Guide to Police Codes
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Texas, you may have received a police crash report and wondered how to make sense of it. These reports can look complicated at first, especially because they use numeric codes to summarize driver actions, contributing factors, and traffic violations. Understanding these codes can help you interpret fault, liability, and the details of the accident.
You can view the official Texas Crash Report code sheet here: Texas DOT Crash Report Codes PDF
Crash Report Sections That Matter Most
Texas crash reports include several sections, but one of the most important is Section 38: Contributing Factors and Conditions. This section lists numeric codes that indicate driver behavior or road conditions contributing to the crash.
For example:
16 – Disregard Stop Sign: The driver failed to stop at a stop sign.
20 – Driver Inattention: The driver was not paying attention to the road.
These codes are used by the officer to document factors that may indicate fault. For someone unfamiliar with the code sheet, it can be easy to misinterpret the report or miss critical details that show your own partial responsibility—or lack thereof.
Why Understanding Crash Report Codes Matters
Insurance companies and attorneys rely on crash reports to evaluate liability and settlement value. If you don’t understand the codes, you may not realize:
How fault is assigned
What behavior the officer documented
How these details could affect your claim
Having a lawyer who understands Texas crash report codes can help clarify your level of fault and ensure that you are treated fairly by insurance companies.
Tips for Reading Your Crash Report
Locate Section 38 – This is where the officer notes contributing factors.
Compare the numbers to the official code sheet to understand what each one means.
Look for discrepancies – If the report lists codes that don’t match what happened, document the differences.
Consult a personal injury attorney – They can interpret the codes in context and help protect your claim.
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