Need to know how to obtain an accident report in Dallas, Texas, after a crash? Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you get it fast and explain what it means for your claim—call (214) 556-8321 for a free consultation.
An official police crash report is a roadmap to liability and insurance coverage. It identifies the parties, time and location, suspected causes, and policy details—information insurers and attorneys use to assess fault and value. Our Dallas car accident lawyers will show you how to request it, what to look for, and how to use it to strengthen your case.
How Can Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in Dallas?
For more than 13 years, Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers has represented car crash victims in Dallas, TX, against the drivers responsible for their injuries. Our Dallas personal injury lawyers have successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlements and court awards from negligent actors throughout the state.
Our founding attorney can provide the following services when you suffer an injury in a crash caused by another driver:
- Assessing your legal claims and advising you about your options
- Collecting evidence to support an insurance claim
- Negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurer to secure a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit against the driver if their insurer denies liability for your injuries
A severe crash could leave you disabled and unable to earn a living. Contact us to set up a free consultation with a qualified Dallas car accident attorney. We’re ready to help you fight for compensation for your injury-related losses.
Procedures for Requesting a Dallas Car Accident Report
Texas officers must complete a crash report when a collision involves injury, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage. Because the threshold is low, most police-responded crashes generate an official report.
Under Texas law, officers generally have 10 days after the crash to submit the report. Knowing where and how to request it will help you move your claim forward without delays.
Order Your Report Through TxDOT (Most Dallas-Area Crashes)
All Texas law-enforcement agencies transmit crash reports to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). For most Dallas-area incidents, you can purchase the report online once it’s filed.
If any of the following agencies investigated your crash, your report should be available through TxDOT:
- Texas Highway Patrol
- Dallas County Sheriff’s Office
- Dallas Police Department
- Collin County Sheriff’s Office
- Denton County Sheriff’s Office
- Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office
- Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
These agencies routinely upload reports to TxDOT, making the statewide portal the fastest single place to look.
Who Can Get Redacted vs. Unredacted Copies
Anyone may request a redacted copy of a crash report. However, Texas limits access to unredacted reports to specific categories to protect privacy.
When requesting an unredacted report, you must certify that you are one of the following:
- A party to the crash or an authorized representative
- The employer, parent, or legal guardian of a party
- The owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the crash
- A policyholder or insurer for a person/vehicle/property involved
- An heir or representative of a deceased victim with potential wrongful-death rights
If you qualify under one of these roles, you can receive a fuller version that may include otherwise withheld details.
Requesting Directly From Local Agencies
You can also request your report from the investigating agency. This route can help if you need agency-specific documentation or if the TxDOT upload is delayed.
Note that Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office do not currently offer online portals for incident reports. Expect to request by phone, mail, or in person, and bring identification that supports your eligibility for an unredacted copy.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Use Your Accident Report
A crash report is often the starting roadmap for evaluating fault, coverage, and next steps. Even if it isn’t the final word on liability, it helps organize evidence collection and claim strategy.
Your lawyer will review the narrative, diagram, codes, listed violations, and witness information to identify strengths, gaps, and corroborating proof needed for an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Why the Report Still Matters Even if It’s “Hearsay”
Courts frequently treat crash reports as hearsay when used to prove the truth of what’s written. That doesn’t make them useless; it simply means they’re best used to find admissible proof.
Practically, the report guides your attorney to supporting evidence—like eyewitnesses, video sources, and physical evidence—that can be presented in court.
Turning the Report Into Admissible Evidence
Using the report as a roadmap, your lawyer can:
- Contact and secure testimony from witnesses named in the report
- Question the investigating officer about observations and methods
- Cross-examine the other driver on inconsistencies or admissions
- Provide key data to an accident-reconstruction expert for analysis
These steps transform the outline in the report into the admissible proof needed to establish liability and damages.
Using the Report in Insurance Claims
Most cases resolve before trial. Insurers can consider hearsay, so adjusters routinely review crash reports when evaluating fault and reserves. Your attorney may submit the report with your claim package to prompt liability acceptance or a preliminary settlement offer.
Even then, your lawyer will continue gathering independent evidence, ensuring the claim remains strong if negotiations stall or litigation becomes necessary.
Contact Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The official crash report can provide valuable information for your injury claim. Contact Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers to discuss your accident in greater detail and find out how we can use your crash report to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Our Dallas car accident attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.