Are Car Accident Reports Public Records In Texas?

Can I Look Up a Car Accident Report in Texas?

There are few experiences in life that can set you back like a car accident. Whether you’ve been personally involved in an incident or one of your loved ones has been affected, it’s only natural to wonder what thepublic records might reflect about the accident. You may be surprised to learn that — at this point — the most important question to ask is about the laws governing the state in which the accident occurred. Although one might assume that the answer to this is relatively straightforward, the availability of car accident reports varies from state to state. This is one of just many reasons why you may want to reach out to a Texas car accident lawyer as soon as possible; chances are that they will be able to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about your situation.


How Does the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) Apply to Car Accidents?


The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) provides people with access to information about all kinds of public records. This includes car accidents. Unless there is some kind of exception or details of the accident have been marked as “confidential”, reports about car accidents can usually be made available to inquiring members of the public. However, this does not necessarily mean that every single detail will be listed in a car accident report. Upon requesting such a report, you may find that not all of the information can be viewed by you. If someone in the accident has suffered serious injuries that affect their health, for example, those details may be withheld to protect that person’s medical privacy. For a number of reasons, some identifying information may have been pulled from public view. If you have questions about why certain pieces of information have been redacted, it may be time to contact an auto accident lawyer who can better explain the situation to you. Every accident is unique, and every report is customized based on the specific set of circumstances presented.



How Does the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) Affect Car Accident Reports in TX?

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), which was established in the 1990s, applies to all states, including Texas. The purpose of this legislation was to stop state and government agencies from selling drivers’ information to direct marketing firms and other entities. It was also meant to protect drivers from any stalking and harassment that could arise from having their personally identifiable information out in the public sphere. Witnesses and bystanders of an accident, for example, would be especially vulnerable to harassment when more information was readily available to the public. Understandably, some people would decline to serve as witnesses for a car accident when they knew that their personal information would be available to the drivers involved in that very same accident. Again, for drivers — and others who may be curious about a particular accident report — it may be helpful to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney if you are curious as to why certain bits of information have been redacted from reports.



How Can I Access Auto Accident Reports in Texas?

Fortunately, it’s a pretty straightforward process. You’ll want to visit the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) page and submit a request. Alternatively, you could also contact the police department that processed the paperwork for the accident. Either way, you will need to have some of the pertinent information on hand prior to submitting your request. Make note of the people involved in the accident, the exact location of the incident, and the date and time. Whether you are using TxDot or going to a law enforcement agency for your report, you will be charged a small fee. If you have qualms about requesting such information online, you can also go to the police station in person or submit a request via mail.



What Are the Exact Steps I Should Follow When Requesting a Car Accident Report in TX?

Again, your first step will be to reach out to the law enforcement agency or TxDOT page. If the accident has occurred very recently, you may need to wait a few days for the accident information to be processed and uploaded. Next, you’ll submit your request to receive the information. When you are making this request, try to include as many details as possible. This will make it easier for the accident to be located within the system. Your third step is to find out what fees you will need to pay in order to access the report. Remember that you must pay prior to receiving the report. The fourth step is to wait. Although accident victims in particular are not usually keen on waiting — and may want to receive the report as quickly as possible so they can pass it on to their legal defense team — unfortunately, it may take a few days or even a few weeks to receive the report as requested. Once you do receive the report, however, it is crucial to realize that your work is not over just yet. Before passing it off to your car accident lawyer, take a close look at it. Check to make sure that all names, drivers’ license information and other data are correct. As is the case with any other type of agency, law enforcement is capable of making mistakes when uploading information. As long as you stay vigilant and address any errors before they’re sent on to even more people involved in the case, you will improve your chances for a hassle-free experience.



Who Is Granted Full Access to a Given Car Accident Report in Texas?

If you are not one of the main parties involved, chances are that you will still be able to access a report on the incident. You will likely be able to see details such as where the accident occurred, any property damage that may have taken place, and the date and time it happened. On some reports, there may even be a visual rendering or diagram of the accident scene. This can help others to visualize exactly what went wrong to cause an accident. If a court case does arise due to an accident, these visual renderings will often be turned into 3D videos with animation, allowing all parties to experience the movements of each vehicle prior to — and during — an accident. However, it’s important to realize that a car accident report these days will not be all-encompassing; there will most likely be some information that is redacted due to privacy concerns. For example, you will probably not be able to see the drivers’ license numbers or addresses of the individuals involved. Of course, there will not be such restrictions if you are one of the drivers involved — or if an insurance agent or your vehicle accident attorney is making the request.



Can I Access a Report If a Car Accident Is Related to a Criminal Investigation?

If the authorities are currently working on a criminal investigation that involves a car accident, whether it’s indirectly or directly associated, be aware that an accident report will not be made available until the investigation has been concluded. If a minor has been involved in the accident — or someone has been made a victim in a way that is unusual — a car accident report may also be withheld or heavily redacted.



The Need to Know Versus the Need for Privacy

In the past, some journalists and researchers have complained about the constraints placed on car accident reports by the DPPA. For researchers attempting to analyze traffic patterns and factors that may cause accidents on specific routes, for example, it can be challenging to compile data and come up with statistics when some of the pertinent information is hidden. However, privacy rights advocates will often argue that there are not enough restrictions on the private information contained in car accident reports.



The Accident Report: the Most Useful Tool for a Vehicle Accident Lawyer?

Anyone who has ever been involved in a significant car crash of any kind knows that the first question the attorney asks is usually in regard to paperwork and documentation. One of the most crucial pieces of documentation is the accident report. By looking at the report, an auto accident attorney can begin to get a sense for what happened during any given accident. All of the basic facts — including the road conditions that existed just prior to the accident — will be available in the report. While drivers’ recollections of a particular incident may vary widely, the accident report serves as an objective piece of documentation that is likely to provide a more accurate representation of how a car accident actually unfolded — and what a judge or jury is likely to see if a case proceeds.



Accident Reports: One of Your Best Lines of Defense When Submitting a Claim

It’s important to keep in mind that there is a limit to the time you have when submitting an insurance claim in the state of Texas. Obtaining an accident report quickly — and securing an attorney who specializes in such cases and wants to help you — is of the utmost importance if you have recently been involved in a car accident. Although you may still be traumatized by the accident or dealing with injuries, make it a priority to get your documentation in order as quickly as possible. The faster your lawyer becomes involved, the more you will be able to focus on recovery. Dealing with the insurance companies, adjustors, and various other parties can make a stressful situation even more intense. By securing a car accident attorney swiftly, you will be doing yourself a huge favor.



Do I Need to Get an Accident Report Even If I Wasn’t at Fault?

Not only is a good practice to obtain the accident report, but you’ll also want to consult with car accident attorneys after being involved in a wreck. Fortunately for you, a knowledgeable attorney will have a handle on all the aspects of the case potentially involving liability, negligence, and any damages. Car accidents can become very complicated when it comes to fault and compensation, which is why it’s a good idea to bring in an attorney who wields experiences dealing with such matters.



You Never Know When a Car Accident Report Might Come in Handy

Even if you think you may have no use for an accident report, it’s better to be safe than sorry. By ordering the car accident report in Texas, you are empowering yourself in the wake of an accident. Although you may have no interest in pursuing a claim at first, the information you glean from the report could always change your mind. Because car accident reports are readily available in the state without much hassle, it is always a good idea to request one when you are involved in any type of an accident. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be.