To get a police report for a car accident in Houston, Texas, you’ll need to contact the Houston Police Department (HPD) or the appropriate Harris County law enforcement agency if the accident occurred outside city limits.
If a police officer responded to your collision involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, they are required to file a report with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) within 10 days of the accident. You can also request a copy of the report directly from TxDOT.
For HPD-handled crashes, you can request reports online, in person at the HPD Records Division, or by mail. A Houston car accident lawyer from Lowe Law can guide you through obtaining the report and help you use it to support your claim for compensation.
How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident From the Houston Police Department
A Houston personal injury lawyer from Lowe Law can help you obtain a police report for your car accident and use it to build your case. If the Houston Police Department (HPD) responded to the crash, you can request the report in one of three ways: online, in person, or by mail.
Requesting a Crash Report Online
You can request an accident report from the HPD online by visiting the department’s online portal, providing the date and location of the accident, along with the report number if possible.
There is a small fee for accessing the report online. Once submitted, you can download the report as soon as it is available.
Requesting in Person
Visit the HPD Records Division in person to request your report. The office is located at:
- Houston Police Department Records Division
1200 Travis St., 1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Come prepared with the accident date, location, and any other identifying details for the report. Payment is required at the time of your request, which can typically be made with cash, check, or card; however, a car accident attorney from Lowe Law can assist with obtaining the crash report.
Requesting by Mail
When requesting your report by mail, send a written request to the HPD Records Division at the above address. Include the accident date, location, report number (if known), and a check or money order for the required fee.
Processing Times and Fees
HPD crash reports generally become available within 10–15 business days after the accident. Fees are nominal, usually under $10.
How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident From TxDOT
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) acts as the official custodian of crash records for the state, pursuant to Texas Transportation Code § 550.062.
If your accident was handled by a non-Houston law enforcement agency or if you cannot access the report locally, you can obtain it directly from TxDOT.
Accessing Reports Through CRIS
TxDOT provides crash reports via its online Crash Records Information System (CRIS). To request a report, you will need certain details, such as:
- Crash date
- Crash location (city, county, or intersection)
- Report number (if available)
- Driver’s name or information
Once you provide this information and pay a small fee, you can download the report online. This system is user-friendly and makes acquiring reports simple, even without visiting an office.
Requesting Crash Reports From the TxDOT by Mail
You can also request a report from the TxDOT by mail. The department requires a filled-out crash report request form, including all relevant details like the crash date and location. You must also include payment for the fee, typically in the form of a check or money order. Mail the request to TxDOT’s Crash Records Division at:
- Texas Department of Transportation
Crash Records Division
P.O. Box 149349
Austin, TX 78714-9349
If you’re unfamiliar with this process or need assistance using the report, a lawyer from Lowe Law can request it.
How a Houston Car Accident Lawyer From Lowe Law Can Help
A Houston car accident lawyer from Lowe Law can do much more than help you obtain your police report; they can use it to pursue compensation. While a police report alone doesn’t determine fault, it often carries significant weight in negotiations with insurance companies and during legal proceedings.
The attorneys at Lowe Law know how to interpret the details within the report, such as accident diagrams, officer observations, and witness statements. If the insurance company refuses to settle or disputes the facts in the report, a lawyer can take your case to trial.
Contact Lowe Law Today
At Lowe Law, we speak from a standpoint of justice and are dedicated to standing by the victims of car accidents. Founded in 2016, our firm uses decades of combined experience to fight aggressively for our clients’ rights, recovering millions along the way.
Whether it’s obtaining your police report, negotiating with insurance companies, or taking your case to trial, we are motivated, aggressive, and determined to get the results you deserve. When you work with us, you’ll feel heard and supported every step of the way. Call us today for a free consultation and let our Houston car accident lawyers fight for you.