Last Updated on July 17, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
How a Texas Police Accident Report Can Impact Your Negligence Claim
Severe Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of a car accident in Texas, regardless of its apparent severity, one of the most crucial first steps is to contact law enforcement to investigate and generate an official police accident report. This document, often referred to as a “crash report” or “CR-3,” serves as a vital piece of evidence that can significantly influence the outcome of any injury claim you might pursue based on the other driver’s negligence.
At the Beltz Law Group, we frequently emphasize the importance of securing this report. It’s not just for your insurance company; it’s a foundational document that can help your personal injury attorney build a strong case for compensation.
Why a Police Report is Essential for Your Injury Claim
While some injuries from a car accident may be immediately obvious, others, like whiplash or internal injuries, can manifest days or even weeks later. Having a police report from the outset helps establish the facts of the accident, even if you don’t immediately feel pain. It serves as an official, independent record that can substantiate your claims later on.
Key Information Found in a Texas Police Accident Report
Police officers in Texas receive extensive training in accident assessment and investigation. Their reports are designed to be comprehensive and often contain critical information that your accident attorney can use to prove negligence and secure compensation for your injuries. Here’s some vital information you can expect to find:
- Accident Basics: The report will document fundamental details such as the exact date, time, and specific location of the crash. This seemingly simple information is crucial for establishing the timeline and circumstances.
- Contact Information: It includes contact details for all involved drivers, vehicle owners, and their insurance information. This is essential for your attorney to initiate communication with the negligent driver’s insurance company.
-
Accident Lawyers North Texas
Witness Information: If available, the report will list contact information for any independent witnesses who observed the accident. Their unbiased accounts can be incredibly powerful in resolving disputes about how the crash occurred. (It’s still a good idea to gather witness information yourself at the scene if possible, in case it’s not fully captured by the officer).
- Driver Statements: The officer will typically take statements from all involved drivers, recounting their version of events. While these are often subjective, they can provide context and reveal inconsistencies that your attorney can leverage.
- Officer’s Observations and Opinions: Based on their investigation, officers may include their observations about the scene, vehicle positions, road conditions, and sometimes even their preliminary opinion regarding who was at fault for the accident.
- Diagrams and Photos: Depending on the severity and nature of the crash, the officer may include a diagram illustrating the accident scene or even take photographs of vehicle damage, road marks, or visible injuries. As the saying goes, a picture can be worth a thousand words in an injury claim.
- Citations Issued: If the officer determines that a traffic law was violated, they may issue citations (e.g., for speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving). While a citation doesn’t automatically prove negligence in a civil case, it can be strong circumstantial evidence.
How Your Attorney Uses the Police Report in a Negligence Claim
North Texas Accident Attorneys
It’s important to understand a key distinction: while a police report itself is generally considered “hearsay” and usually not directly admissible as evidence in a Texas civil trial, it is still an incredibly powerful tool in settling your injury claim. Here are the primary ways your car accident attorney will use the information contained in the report:
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters place significant weight on police reports and the investigating officer’s observations. Your personal injury attorney can use the report to clearly establish the basic facts of the accident and argue for the other driver’s fault, which can significantly influence settlement negotiations. It provides an objective summary that cuts through differing accounts.
- Guiding Further Investigation: The police report serves as a roadmap for your attorney’s own independent investigation. It can point to key witnesses, relevant physical evidence, or specific areas of inquiry (like potential traffic camera footage or other records) that need to be pursued to strengthen your claim. If expert testimony (e.g., accident reconstructionists) is needed, the report provides foundational data for their analysis.
- Supporting Officer Testimony: If your injury claim cannot be settled out of court and proceeds to trial, the police officer who authored the report can be called to testify. Their direct observations of the accident scene, their training, and their testimony regarding factual findings and how they reached their conclusions can be highly persuasive to a jury.
Protecting Your Rights After a Texas Car Accident
A police report is often the first formal document created after a car accident, and its contents can be instrumental in protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries caused by another’s negligence.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Texas, contact the Beltz Law Group today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how to leverage police reports and all available evidence to build a compelling case. We are committed to fighting for justice for our clients and ensuring that those responsible for your injuries are held accountable.
