If you were in a crash in Baytown, you will probably need a copy of the police crash report. Insurance companies use it, and a lawyer will want it. This guide explains where to get yours, what it costs, and what to do if something in it is wrong. It is written by The Miller Law Firm, home of The Texas Bulldog, a Houston personal injury firm.
How to get your Baytown crash report
The Baytown Police Department’s Records Division is at 3200 N. Main Street, and the lobby is open on weekdays. The city lists a crash report at $6 if you pick it up and $8 if the department mails it by certified letter. It accepts cash, a business check or a money order. If you want to pay by credit card, buy the report from TxDOT’s online system instead.
Not every crash produces a standard crash report. If yours did not, the city says you can ask for a complaint-only accident report through its open records process. The city’s site also says it removes some personal details, such as Social Security and driver license numbers, before it releases documents, and it does not take records requests by phone.
For the most current instructions, check the City of Baytown crash reports page and the TxDOT crash reports page.
What is in the report, and why it matters
A Texas crash report, called a CR-3, lists the date, time and place of the crash, the drivers and vehicles, insurance information, the officer’s notes and a diagram, and the officer’s view of what contributed to the crash. That view is not a final decision about fault, but insurance adjusters read it closely, so it often shapes how a claim starts.
If your report has a mistake
Read the report as soon as you get it. Check names, plate numbers, insurance information, the location, and how the officer described what happened. Mistakes are common, and they can be fixed more easily the sooner you speak up. Contact the investigating agency and ask how to correct factual errors. Keep your own photos, your medical records, and the names of any witnesses, because those help show what really happened even if the report is wrong.
What to do after you have the report
Do not give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement before you have talked to a lawyer, and read our recorded statement guide to see why. Texas gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, as explained in our statute of limitations guide, and your share of the blame can reduce what you recover, which is covered in our comparative fault guide. If you were hurt, see how we help injured drivers on our Baytown car accident lawyer page.
Frequently asked questions about Baytown accident reports
How much does a Baytown accident report cost?
The City of Baytown lists $6 for a report picked up in person and $8 for a report mailed by certified letter. TxDOT charges $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy online, plus a small card fee.
How long does it take to get my crash report?
Not right away. The officer has up to 10 days to turn the report in to TxDOT, and it can take a few more days to show up in TxDOT’s system, so a report from last week may not be ready yet. If you need it sooner for an insurance claim, give the adjuster your case number and tell us if the delay is a problem.
Can I get a crash report if I was not in the crash?
Texas law limits who can get the full report. It is released to people directly involved in the crash and to others with a proper interest, such as an insurance company or a lawyer for someone involved (Transportation Code section 550.065). Other people may only get a version with personal details removed.
Do I need the police report to make an injury claim?
You can start a claim without it, but the report makes proving what happened much easier. It lists the drivers, the vehicles, the insurance information and the officer’s notes, and insurance companies read it closely. Our guide to what to do after a car accident covers the rest of the steps.
What if the police report has a mistake?
Tell the investigating agency right away. Ask how to correct a factual mistake, such as a wrong name, license plate or insurance policy, because an officer can sometimes add a supplement to the report. An officer’s opinion about who caused the crash is harder to change, but it does not decide your claim. Keep your photos and witness names, and talk to a lawyer.
Accident report guides for nearby cities
We also explain how to get a crash report in League City, Sugar Land and Conroe. For more on what comes next, see our car accident practice area.