After a car accident, drivers should immediately call for emergency help, including from the police. Not only can the police investigate your crash, but they should also write a report that may be useful to you later.
You should be able to obtain a copy of your accident report from the police department investigating your crash. You may need to submit a formal request, usually in writing or online, and you should get a copy some time later. Your car accident report might come in handy if you are filing an insurance claim or suing the driver who hit you. Accident reports often contain valuable details about witnesses, evidence, and even conclusions drawn by investigators regarding who is responsible for the accident. Accident victims often have a lot to deal with after an accident, and many are not even aware there is an accident report from the police. An attorney can help you contact the police and ask about your accident report.
Call our Frisco, TX car accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 to schedule a free review of your case.
Where Do I Get a Copy of My Car Accident Report in Frisco, TX?
Generally, you can obtain a copy of the accident report for your case directly from the police. Unlike many other states, Texas does not make accident reports part of the public record. As such, only certain people may request a report, and certain procedures must be followed to verify your identity.
Our Frisco, TX car accident lawyers can help you make a formal request to the police to get a copy of the accident report. Since accident reports are not public records, we must provide proof of your identity. Only people directly involved in a car accident (e.g., drivers, passengers, injured parties) or their representatives may obtain a copy of the report.
TXDOT provides an online portal where all police reports regarding things like car accidents are available. If you are unsure which police department handled your case, the online portal might help you figure things out so you can find your accident report. You should also be prepared to pay a small fee when requesting a copy of your report online.
If you cannot access the online portal or would rather use a different method to get your accident report, our team can help you make a request in writing by mail. Your request should include the paperwork required to get a copy of the report and a check for the request fee.
If you know the police department handling your accident and live nearby, you can go down to the station and make a request in person. While this is certainly a possibility, you should call ahead to make sure your report is ready.
Why Your Car Accident Report in Frisco, TX is Important
Getting a copy of your report might be necessary if you want to take legal action against the other driver. Whether filing an insurance claim, lawsuit, or both, the police report may provide useful details to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Insurance Claims
The first thing most people probably think about after a car accident is insurance. Having insurance is required by law, and you can take steps to begin the claims process almost immediately. Typically, accident victims can file third-party claims with the other driver’s insurance. In such claims, insurance companies require proof that the other driver is at fault for the crash.
Not only can the police report help you prove that the other driver is at fault for the crash, but it is often a required piece of evidence by the insurance company. While minor accidents might not require a call to the police, accidents involving injuries, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported to the police as a matter of law. If your accident involves such damages and there is no police report, your claim might be denied.
Lawsuits
You can also use the accident report if you file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. While an insurance company usually allows or even requires, claimants to submit a police report as evidence, courts do not follow the same rule. Police reports are usually inadmissible as evidence because they are considered hearsay.
Hearsay is statements or information presented in court by someone who does not have first-hand knowledge. For example, if someone testifies that they know the defendant caused the accident because their friend who witnessed it told them so, those statements are inadmissible hearsay. You would need the friend who witnessed the accident to testify instead.
Police reports are similar because they are compiled by police officers who likely did not witness the accident, and all the information in the report is considered second-hand. Even so, we can use the report as a guide to find admissible evidence. The report might have details about witnesses, physical evidence, and where to find them.
How Do I Know if There is a Car Accident Report for My Case in Frisco, TX?
If you reported your car accident to the police, there should be an accident report. As briefly mentioned before, not all car accidents must be reported to law enforcement. Only accidents involving death, bodily injuries, or at least $1,000 in property damage are required to be reported to law enforcement.
If you reported your accident to the police, you should get a copy of the report, but not right away. The police need a bit of time to get the report ready. If you need the report sooner rather than later, we can help you speak with the police about getting a copy of the report as quickly as possible. If you have requested a report but none is available, it might still be being prepared.
Contact Our Frisco, TX Car Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Accident Report
Call our Frisco, TX truck accident lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 to arrange a free assessment of your claims and accident report.