A car accident police report in Austin, Texas, contains important details about how a crash occurred and may be reviewed by insurance companies when evaluating an injury claim. Because these reports can contain errors, reviewing yours can help identify inaccurate information that may affect your claim.
With more than 40 years of combined experience and over $500 million recovered, McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers has handled personal injury claims involving car accidents and disputed liability.
What Information Is Included in an Austin Car Accident Police Report?
An Austin car accident police report can include information about the drivers, vehicles, injuries, and circumstances surrounding a collision. Austin Police Department officers use the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, commonly known as the CR-3, to document qualifying crashes.
Depending on the accident, the report may contain:
- Names and contact information for the drivers
- Vehicle descriptions and insurance information
- The date, time, and location of the crash
- Road, traffic, and weather conditions
- Reported injuries
- Witness information
- A diagram showing how the collision occurred
- Contributing factors identified during the investigation
- Citations issued
- The investigating officer’s narrative
Review each section carefully and compare the information with photographs, videos, witness accounts, medical records, and other evidence from the accident.
Does a Police Report Determine Who Is at Fault for an Austin Car Accident?
When reviewing your CR-3 report, pay close attention to the contributing factors, the crash diagram, and the officer’s description of how the collision occurred.
These sections can provide important information about the officer’s assessment of the crash, but the police report does not by itself determine who is legally responsible for an Austin car accident.
What Mistakes Should You Look for in a Car Accident Police Report?
Car accident reports can contain mistakes involving basic facts or descriptions of how the collision occurred.
When reviewing your report, look for errors involving:
- Your name or contact information
- Vehicle and insurance information
- The crash location
- The direction each vehicle was traveling
- Witness names or statements
- Reported injuries
- The crash diagram
- Contributing factors
- Descriptions in the officer’s narrative
Some mistakes are relatively minor, such as an incorrect address. Others may become more significant if they create a misleading picture of how the accident happened.
Why Can a Mistake in a Police Report Matter for Your Injury Claim?
A mistake can matter because an insurance company may consider the police report when investigating fault and deciding how to respond to an injury claim. An incorrect diagram, an inaccurate description, or a missing piece of information could contribute to a dispute over the collision.
For example, a report that incorrectly identifies a vehicle’s direction of travel could conflict with your account of an intersection crash.
Can You Correct a Mistake in an Austin Car Accident Police Report?
Yes, mistakes in an Austin car accident police report can be corrected in some circumstances. Under Texas law, a change that alters a material fact generally must be made by the officer who prepared the report. Other changes may be documented through a written supplement.
If you find an error, contact the Austin Police Department and provide any documentation that supports the correction. Keep in mind that correcting a factual error is different from disagreeing with an officer’s opinion or conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Get an Austin Accident Report?
The exact timing to obtain an accident report can vary. APD policy requires officers to complete CR-3 reports by the end of their tour of duty or, with supervisor authorization, within 24 hours of the reported crash.
Can an Insurance Company Use a Police Report Against You?
An insurance company may consider information in a police report when evaluating an accident claim. However, the report is only one source of information, and other evidence may provide additional context or contradict its statements.
Can You File an Injury Claim if the Police Report Says You Were at Fault?
A police report indicating that you were at fault does not necessarily determine whether you have a valid injury claim. Under Texas law, your percentage of responsibility can affect your ability to recover compensation.
Contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Austin Car Accident Attorney
If you were injured in an Austin, TX, car accident, mistakes in the police report could create problems when you file an insurance claim. Other evidence from the crash may help correct the record and establish how the accident occurred.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers can review your police report and other evidence and handle your claim with the insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Austin car accident lawyer.
We proudly serve clients throughout Austin, TX in Travis County, as well as Salt Lake City, UT in Salt Lake County.
McMinn Law Firm – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
McMinn Law Firm – Salt Lake City, UT Office
650 S 500 W Suite 290, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 462-7630
