Car Accident Reports in Texas

There are many critical actions you should take after a car accident in El Paso, one of which is filing a car accident report. In all the chaos, it might be easy to forget to carry out this important task. However, to protect your financial interests and avoid liability, filing a car accident report should not be skipped under any circumstances.

When Do You Have to File a Car Accident Report?

There are thousands of car accidents in Texas each year. But not all of them need to be reported. According to Texas law, every car accident on Texas roadways that results in at least $1,000 in property damage, injury, or death, the accident must be reported. The accident report, if not drafted by a police officer at the scene, must be filed within ten days of the accident.

What Happens if You Fail to File a Car Accident Report in Texas?

Failure to file a car accident report in Texas is a misdemeanor with moderately stiff penalties, including fines and potential time behind bars. 

Who Has to File a Car Accident Report?

Drivers who are involved in a qualifying accident must report a car accident to the proper authorities. However, someone can submit a report on behalf of a driver if they are injured and unable to do so. 

How Do You File a Car Accident Report in Texas?

To file a crash report in Texas, you must get ahold of and complete a Crash Report form (CR-2), also known as a Blue Form. 

This form will require you to fill in specific information about the crash, including:

  • Time, date, and location of the car crash
  • The name, birthdate, and contact info of all drivers party to the crash
  • Drivers license info for all drivers party to the crash
  • License plate information
  • Names and contact information of the vehicle owners if different than drivers
  • A brief narrative of the accident
  • A statement on the weather conditions present at the time of the wreck

Once the report is filled out, you can submit it to the municipal police where the accident occurred or the sheriff if the wreck happened within the jurisdiction of a county. The Texas Department of Transportation can also receive your CR-2. 

You can also submit a report to a police officer if one arrives at the scene of your accident. When an officer of the law arrives to investigate a crash, they are also bound to make a report under certain circumstances. If they do, you are no longer required to file a report of your own.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help with a Car Accident Report?

The car accident report is an official record that can be used in your favor or against you. Something you write down may be easily twisted to support a claim for compensation against you. As such, it is of utmost importance that you take great care in drafting your narrative of the events.

Consulting with a car accident attorney before you submit a report can save you from making statements in a way that harms your interests. Even in the case of a supposed minor car accident, the keen eye of a seasoned car accident lawyer can spot potential issues in your CR-2 and make the appropriate changes.

A car accident report is an important official record that you might find essential for an injury or property damage compensation claim down the line. As such, you always want to make sure one is filed when you are in an accident, even in minor crashes. Failure to do so can lead to lost compensation and potentially criminal penalties. 

Contact the San Diego Car Accident Law Firm of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Get More Information

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.

We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 777-5555

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032

We also serve the state of Texas. Contact our personal injury law office in El Paso for legal assistance today.

Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000