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Analysis of a Texas Police Report

After getting involved in an auto accident, many people obtain their accident report on their own. However, lots of people don't know exactly how to interpret it or what to do with the information. Hopefully this brief analysis helps:

A Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (Form CR-3), otherwise known as an accident report, identifies the "Who, What, When, Where & How" factors associated with an accident. Not every car accident responded to by a law enforcement officer results in the filing of an accident report. When an accident does not result in injury or death, or does not appear to involve at least $1,000 in damage to any individual vehicle, the investigating officer can facilitate the exchange of personal and insurance information between drivers and have them complete a Driver's Crash Report (Form CR-2), otherwise known as a blue form, which the involved drivers then mail to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The accident or crash report is completed by the investigating law enforcement officer and documents the exact details of the accident while they are fresh in the minds of those who witnessed the event. The accident report is especially useful to insurance companies when dealing with liability issues stemming from the accident.

Below is what we consider to be the key information contained in a Texas Crash Report:

Accident location:

Reveals the date, time, specific address and direction of the roadways where the accident occurred. Can also indicate the speed limit and type of speed zone such as a construction or school zone.

Driver/Vehicle:

Identifies the year/make/model/license plate/VIN and owners and/or drivers of vehicles involved in the accident. Provides driver identifiers including DL status, employment and address.

Insurance information:

Identifies liability insurance information produced at the scene, including insurance company name and policy number for each driver involved.

Vehicle damage rating:

Indicates the general area of damage and severity on a scale of 1 to 5.

Charges filed:

Indicates charge(s) filed against drivers involved and the traffic citation number which was issued.

Occupant codes:

Lists information of occupants such as their respective identifiers, seat position, use of seat belts, determination of injuries, and location transported to by ambulance.

Narrative and diagram:

A brief synopsis written by the investigating officer, which indicates factors and conditions that may or may not have contributed to the accident. Accompanied by an informal drawing of the location of the vehicles involved in the accident and notation of traffic controls, road surface conditions, weather, light, etc.

Factors and conditions:

Specific elements attributed to the driver(s) that may or may not have contributed to the accident, in the opinion of the investigating officer. Examples of common factors contributing to an accident include "failure to control speed" and "failed to yield right of way - stop sign."

Witnesses:

Reveals the names and contact information of third-parties who witnessed the accident first-hand. Investigating officers generally interview the witnesses in the course of conducting their accident investigation.

For a free consultation on your rights as a victim of a car or truck wreck, please call us at 817-294-1900 or Contact Us Online.