How to get a car accident report in Texas
Every rule below is quoted from Texas law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
You can buy a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) online through the Crash Report Online Purchase System. A regular copy costs $6 and a certified copy costs $8. If the crash hurt or killed someone, or damaged a vehicle badly enough that it cannot be driven safely, the driver must immediately notify local police, the sheriff, or the nearest Department of Public Safety office.
Which agency has your report
The report comes from the agency whose officer came to the crash. On interstates and state highways that is usually the state police or highway patrol. On city streets it is the city police, and outside city limits it is often the county sheriff. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave the scene.
Requesting a state police crash report
You can buy a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) online through the Crash Report Online Purchase System. A regular copy costs $6 and a certified copy costs $8.
“$6 for a regular copy. $8 for a certified copy”
Your reporting duties
When you must report to police
If the crash hurt or killed someone, or damaged a vehicle badly enough that it cannot be driven safely, the driver must immediately notify local police, the sheriff, or the nearest Department of Public Safety office.
“The operator of a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the collision to the: (1) local police department if the collision occurred in a municipality; (2) local police department or the sheriff's office if the collision occurred not more than 100 feet outside the limits of a municipality; or (3) sheriff's office or the nearest office of the department if the collision is not required to be reported under Subdivision (1) or (2).”
Whether you must file your own report
Texas does not require the driver to separately file a written crash report with the state. That duty falls on the investigating law enforcement officer, who must file an electronic report within 10 days if the crash caused injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Texas repealed its old driver-filed report requirement in 2017.
“A law enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a motor vehicle collision shall make a written report of the collision if the collision resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more. The report required by Subsection (a) must be filed electronically with the department not later than the 10th day after the date of the collision.”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.