If you get in a car accident, one of the best decisions you can make is to call the police. Even if what happens seems straightforward, even if the damage is minimal, calling 9-1-1 protects your best interests, because the responding officer will turn in a police report.
That documents what happened from an unbiased point of view. Insurance companies see police as the experts, and almost always take their word for what happened over the input from witnesses or drivers. But if you have an accident, how can you get a copy of the police report so you can read it for yourself? That’s an excellent question, read on for answers.
Method 1 – Search Online
If you live in Texas, you can obtain a copy of your car accident police report by going to the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Reports and Records page. From there, you can purchase your police report for a fee of $6 for a regular copy or $8 for a certified copy. You’re only able to request a copy if you’re a “person directly concerned in the accident or having proper interest therein.”
If the accident happened in Louisiana, you can purchase your police report for $11.50 through the Louisiana State Police website.
Method 2 – Request by Mail
If online transactions aren’t your thing, you can send a letter requesting a copy be mailed to you. Mail your request with the above fee and the request form on the state website, and they’ll send back your information.
Method 3 – Go to the Police Station
The responding officer most likely gave you a receipt when he or she recorded the incident, along with information on what station would receive that information. Stop by and ask the clerk for a copy of the report once it’s had time to be filed.
Method 4 – Have Your Attorney Request a Police Report Copy
This might be the easiest method. Ask your attorney to request a copy and he or she will get it for you.
What’s In a Police Report?
Insurance companies rely on police reports to give a fair and objective account of what happened. When you receive your police report, you might find it contains the following:
⦁ The time, date and location of your auto accident
⦁ Identifying information for both drivers – names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plates numbers etc.
⦁ Information on passengers and witnesses
⦁ Specifics of how the accident occurred, including a diagram
⦁ Weather, amount of daylight and road conditions at the time of the accident
⦁ Information on where each vehicle was damaged.
⦁ Citations issued, if any
The details matter. Read your police report when you receive it and, if necessary, correct any errors.
Car Accident Attorney in Texas and Louisiana
If your accident happened in Texas or Louisiana and you were injured, we’re here to make sure you receive a fair settlement. We work on a contingency basis so if you don’t get paid, we don’t either. Schedule your free consultation today.
