The immediate aftermath of a car accident is a traumatic experience for all involved motorists, especially if they’ve suffered injuries. Often, the distress continues in the days following the car accident as injured motorists deal with painful medical procedures at the same time they navigate the legal system and the demands of an insurance claim. One of the first aspects of a car accident claim is obtaining a copy of your car accident report. Car accident victims in Austin have the responsibility to prove the other driver’s liability, or that the other driver was more than 51% at fault for the accident, in order to recover compensation for their damages like property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Texas car accident report becomes key evidence in a claim.

What Is a Car Accident Report?

Drivers in Texas must remain at the scene of an accident. If the accident is very minor with no injuries and under $1,000 in property damage, the involved motorists do not have to call the police to the scene but must exchange contact and insurance information. If the property damage appears substantial or if there are any injuries or fatalities, the police must come to the scene of the accident. Either way, Texas motorists have a legal obligation to report the accident to their local law enforcement office within ten days of the crash.

When police arrive at the scene, they generate the accident report by gathering critical information such as drivers’ names, contact information, insurance companies, the names of any eyewitnesses, and photos of the accident scene. If the police do not appear at the scene, the involved drivers give as much information as possible when reporting the accident within the ten-day window. Involved drivers must use the Texas CR-2 form, known as the Blue Form.

How Do I Get a Copy of My Austin Car Accident Report?

An accident report typically takes about ten days for law enforcement to complete. The report might take longer if any criminality is involved and the police haven’t completed the investigation.

Like most states, Texas uses the BuyCrash.com portal for car accident victims to request a copy of their report. Most accident victims find their reports through the portal by entering their name, and the date and location of the accident. There is a $6.00 fee for each copy or an $8.00 fee for a certified copy. Once the accident victim finds their report, they can add it to the portal’s “shopping cart” and use a credit card to purchase a copy.

You can also obtain a copy through the online portal Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S).

Finally, accident victims may also request a copy of the report by mail by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the fee to: Austin Police Department Report Sales, P.O. Box 689001, Austin, TX, 78768.

Why Is the Accident Report Important to an Austin Car Accident Claim?

Car accident injury victims in fault-based insurance states like Texas have the burden of proving the other driver’s liability through a preponderance of the evidence. The accident report is typically the best place to start when it comes to gathering evidence for a claim for damages. If the insurance company disputes their policyholder’s liability or assigns an undue portion of fault to an injury victim, the injury victim’s attorney gathers key information from the accident report. For example, the name of the at-fault party’s insurance company so they can file the claim appropriately. They may also review eyewitness statements and use the witness’s contact information to obtain their testimony.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Austin Help?

An Austin car accident lawyer protects their client against typical tactics used by insurance companies to protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense. Even when the fault in an accident seems straightforward, claims often become complicated. Call the Austin car accident lawyers to ensure the best possible chance to recover maximum compensation.