Texas · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Texas: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

Call police right away by the quickest means if anyone is hurt or killed, or a vehicle is too damaged to be driven normally and safely: city police inside a city (or within 100 feet of it), otherwise the sheriff or Texas DPS. Officers who investigate must file a report if anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more. Drivers no longer file their own written crash report (CR-2) with the state; officers file the CR-3 electronically with TxDOT within 10 days.

Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.026, 550.062

When to call the police in Texas

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
Call police right away by the quickest means if anyone is hurt or killed, or a vehicle is too damaged to be driven normally and safely: city police inside a city (or within 100 feet of it), otherwise the sheriff or Texas DPS. Officers who investigate must file a report if anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more.
Law
Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.026, 550.062
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Texas

Your own report
No. Drivers no longer file their own written crash report (CR-2) with the state; officers file the CR-3 electronically with TxDOT within 10 days.

How to get a copy of the crash report in Texas

Texas has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

More facts for Texas

  • Officers must file a report when damage to any one person's property looks like $1,000 or more (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.062).

Recent changes in Texas

  • In 2025 the Legislature amended the crash-report forms and release sections (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.064, 550.065; HB 1620 and SB 1598, effective Sept. 1, 2025); people involved in the crash, their representatives, vehicle owners and insurers can still get the report.

Step by step after a crash in Texas

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Texas law requires it. Call police right away by the quickest means if anyone is hurt or killed, or a vehicle is too damaged to be driven normally and safely: city police inside a city (or within 100 feet of it), otherwise the sheriff or Texas DPS. Officers who investigate must file a report if anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. Drivers no longer file their own written crash report (CR-2) with the state; officers file the CR-3 electronically with TxDOT within 10 days.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Buy a copy of the officer's crash report (CR-3) from TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System: $6 for a regular copy, $8 for a certified copy (a small online surcharge may apply). https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records.html
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Texas

Questions about reporting a crash in Texas

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Texas?

Call police right away by the quickest means if anyone is hurt or killed, or a vehicle is too damaged to be driven normally and safely: city police inside a city (or within 100 feet of it), otherwise the sheriff or Texas DPS. Officers who investigate must file a report if anyone is hurt or killed or any one person's property damage looks like $1,000 or more.

Do I have to file my own accident report in Texas?

No. Drivers no longer file their own written crash report (CR-2) with the state; officers file the CR-3 electronically with TxDOT within 10 days.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Texas?

Buy a copy of the officer's crash report (CR-3) from TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System: $6 for a regular copy, $8 for a certified copy (a small online surcharge may apply). https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records.html

More for Texas drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.