How long does an accident stay on your record in Texas? Unless it was so minor that you didn’t need to call the police, a car accident usually stays on your record in Texas for three to five years, depending on fault.
If matters have not yet been finalized, our Houston car accident lawyer may be able to help you resolve disputes about fault that may impact your driving record.
Parties That Keep Car Accident Records And How Long They Keep Them For
There are several sources of accident records to keep in mind, and they may keep records for varying lengths of time. Police and state authorities keep accident records, often for three to five years. However, they may be kept for longer if they relate to a very serious incident.
Insurance companies commonly assess drivers using data from the last three to five years, and usually maintain their records accordingly. Finally, there are databases like the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE). It may keep certain insurance claim records for up to seven years.
How Accident Severity and Fault Affect How Long an Accident Stays on Your Record in Texas
If you were involved in a very minor accident with minimal property damage and no injuries, you and the other driver may decide not to involve the authorities or your insurers. As a result, there would be no record of the incident.
When there is fairly serious property damage, or someone is killed or injured, you are required to contact the police under Texas Transportation Code § 550.026. They will compile an accident report, which will form part of your driving record, even if you were not at fault.
Serious accidents are generally collisions that lead to significant injuries, such as broken bones or fatalities. Police and state agencies may retain records for longer periods depending on record-retention policies and the seriousness of the incident. Insurance companies use driving records to assess risk and may also retain them for more than three years.
In Most Instances, You Cannot Apply to Have Your Driving Record Changed
The time your accident stays on your record in Texas is not for you to decide. In most cases, you cannot simply request the removal of an accident record from official driving histories. Certain accidents may no longer appear in standard driving-history searches after three to five years, depending on the type of record requested. You can use the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) portal to check.
Accident Records in Texas And How Long They Affect Your Insurance Premiums
You may want to know how long an accident stays on your record in Texas because you want to know how much your car insurance goes up after an accident and for how long. An accident in which you were at fault may increase your premiums for three to five years and sometimes even longer.
While they might forgive a very minor accident with a minor settlement, their risk assessment algorithms may indicate that the insurer is taking on more risk if you have a history of severe crashes. Because of the perception of elevated risk, premiums are higher. Insurance companies may re-evaluate your premiums on policy renewal.
If your accident record shows that you were at fault in a serious accident due to reckless driving or DUI, you may face severely inflated premiums or refusal to renew your insurance policy. An insurer’s standpoint may be that, though it’s difficult to predict what the average car accident settlement is worth in Texas, drivers with serious accident histories present greater insurance risk.
Insurance Implications if Your Accident Record Shows You Were Not at Fault
A lower percentage of fault may reduce the impact on your premiums, depending on the insurer’s policies. They are entitled to re-evaluate your risk profile. A not-at-fault accident would likely not impact your premiums as seriously, especially if your percentage of fault was very low.
Nevertheless, Texas allows insurers to evaluate risk using their internal policies, and you may find yourself subjected to a rate increase depending on the terms of your policy. If you are dissatisfied with it, you may wish to see how other insurers would evaluate the same level of coverage.
Accident Records in Texas and Employment
Your driving record may impact employment prospects, especially if you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for a job. If you cause a major accident, whether at work or in your private motor vehicle, your CDL may be temporarily or permanently suspended.
You may be able to have it reinstated, but employers may be reluctant to employ a person who has caused an accident. They will have concerns about liability and possible reputational harm, and may prefer candidates who have not been in an accident before.
If, on the other hand, you were not at fault for your accident or shared very little responsibility for causing it, your record may not impact your career prospects at all.
How Our Car Accident Attorney May Help You Protect Your Reputation as a Texas Driver
Being found at fault for an accident can mean that you face higher insurance premiums and, if you are a commercial driver, damage to your reputation. Disputes about liability are very common in car accidents, as the at-fault party (or their insurer) may be liable for damages.
If you think you’re being unfairly blamed, involving an attorney soon after any serious crash may mean they’re able to gather evidence that reduces a final determination of fault. If the crash record is inaccurate, they may file to amend the record, and you may be eligible for compensation.
Call Us About Your Accident to Learn More
Knowing how long an accident stays on your record in Texas may make you less likely to accept an at-fault finding when you believe you aren’t really to blame. Even if the finding is that you are not mostly to blame, any share of fault may affect compensation for your damages, your insurance costs, and even your employment prospects.
At Lowe Law, we speak from a standpoint of justice. We are motivated, aggressive, and determined. If we believe you aren’t being fairly treated, we are ready to fight for you. To find out whether we may be able to help you, simply contact us for a free consultation.