There are two types of crash reports in Texas: the Driver’s Crash Report (CR-2) for self-reported accidents or the Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) completed by law enforcement. While the CR-2 uses plain language anyone can understand, the CR-3 employs various codes to document vehicle damage, injuries, and contributing factors that require additional information to interpret. The CR-3 includes three-part damage codes (showing impact direction, location, and severity), specialized damage classifications, and standardized codes for a variety of fields including for injuries and contributing factors. Understanding these codes is crucial since the CR-3 serves as the official accident record used by insurance companies, lawyers, and courts to determine fault and process claims. This guide will break down the coding systems used in the Texas and help you read a Texas crash report.
Understanding Texas Crash Reports
In this guide, our Texas personal injury lawyer takes a closer look at the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (Form CR-3), break down each section, and explain how you can use it to your advantage.
What is a Texas Crash Report?
A Texas crash report documents a broad range of information, such as:
- Vehicle damage
- Injuries and fatalities
- Road and weather conditions
- Contributing factors (like speeding or mechanical failures)
The official version of this document is known as Form CR-3, which was last updated in 2023 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The CR-3 form is used statewide to ensure uniform data collection and reporting across Texas. For accidents not investigated by law enforcement, drivers may complete Form CR-2, known as the Driver’s Crash Report when a crash results in injury, death, or apparent property damage of at least $1,000. This is filed with the local police department and is not maintained by TXDOT. As of 2017, it is not a requirement for drivers to complete a CR-2, although it is widely used for other required by insurance companies.
Video: How to Read a Texas Crash Report
When is a Crash Report Required?
In Texas, pursuant to Transportation Code 550.062, filing a crash report is legally required if:
- The crash results in injury or death of any person,
- Property damage from the crash is $1,000 or more, or
- Law enforcement officers are dispatched to the scene.
This requirement ensures that a detailed, official record exists whenever a crash causes significant harm or damage. The information in the report can become essential if you need to file an insurance claim or become involved in a legal dispute.
The CR-3 Form at a Glance
The CR-3 form is organized into multiple sections designed to capture every aspect of the crash:
- Basic Crash Information
- Vehicle and Driver Information
- Injury Information
- Damage Assessments
- Contributing Factors
- Narrative and Diagram
We’ll explore each section in detail.
1. Basic Crash Information
At the very beginning, you’ll see fundamental facts about the crash:
- Date and time of the crash
- Exact location (city, county, street, or highway markers)
- Weather and road conditions (rain, fog, pavement condition)
- Whether the crash occurred in a construction zone or involved hit-and-run scenarios
These details set the stage for the rest of the report, highlighting when and where the crash took place, as well as any environmental factors that may have played a role.
2. Vehicle and Driver Information
Each vehicle involved gets its own subsection. You’ll find:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, and model
- Driver’s license information and contact details for each driver
- Insurance details, including the policy number and insurer
- Damage specifics for each vehicle
This section ensures law enforcement has identified everyone involved, including passengers and other relevant parties.
3. Injury Information
If someone was injured or killed, the report will note:
- The nature and severity of injuries
- Whether the injured individual was taken to a hospital
- Injury classification codes, such as:
- K – Fatal injury
- A – Incapacitating injury
- B – Non-incapacitating injury
- C – Possible injury
- N – No injury
These codes help insurance companies, lawyers, and investigators quickly assess the overall severity of the crash.
4. Damage Assessments
One of the more complex parts of the crash report is the damage rating system. Three main components describe the impact on each vehicle:
- Direction of Force (XX)
Uses a clock face analogy (1–12) to indicate the primary direction of the collision. Example: “12” means a front impact; “3” means impact from the right side. - Damage Description (ABC)
Uses letter codes like FC (Front Concentrated) or LP (Left Passenger area) to indicate precisely where the vehicle was hit and how damage was spread. - Damage Severity (Y)
A scale from 0 to 7, where 0 is no damage and 7 is severe or total destruction. Example: “12-FC-3” means a front impact (12 o’clock), focused damage to the front end (FC), with moderate severity (3).
You may also see Special Damage Codes like VB-1 (vehicle burned not due to collision) or TP-0 (top damage only). These give unique details about specific or unusual types of damage.
5. Contributing Factors
Crashes often have multiple causes, and this section lists the officer’s interpretation of what went wrong. Examples include:
- Driver inattention or distraction
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Mechanical failures (like bad brakes)
- Road design issues
These factors can be crucial in determining who might be at fault and whether the road or a vehicle had safety issues.
6. Narrative and Diagram
Here, the investigating officer offers a written summary of the crash. Often, the officer will describe:
- How the vehicles were traveling before the collision
- Maneuvers attempted (e.g., turning left, changing lanes)
- Environmental conditions (e.g., heavy rain, slick roads)
Alongside the narrative, you’ll see a diagram showing how the officer believes the crash unfolded. Arrows, labeled vehicle units, and direction indicators help visualize the sequence of events.
How to Obtain a Copy of a Texas Crash Report
You can generally get a copy of your crash report through one of these methods:
- Online via TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System
Visit the TxDOT website and look for the “Crash Reports and Records” section. Enter your details (like the date of the crash and the location) to search for your report. Pay the required fee, which is usually around $6.00 for a regular copy. - Mail Request to TxDOT
Complete a CR-91 form (Application for Copy of Peace Officer’s Crash Report) or provide a written request. Include payment and key crash details. Mail everything to TxDOT’s mailing address listed on their site. - Contact the Law Enforcement Agency Directly
Many police departments keep their own records. Call or visit in person to submit a records request, depending on that department’s procedures.
It may take a couple of weeks for a report to appear in the TxDOT database, so don’t worry if you can’t find it immediately.
Related Documents: CR-2 (Blue Form) vs. CR-3
You may come across references to a “CR-2” or “Blue Form.” This is a Driver’s Crash Report that individuals fill out themselves when law enforcement doesn’t complete an official CR-3 form at the scene. The CR-2 is not considered an official law enforcement report—rather, it’s a self-reported document that may or may not be used by insurance companies.
By contrast, the CR-3 (Peace Officer’s Crash Report) is the official law enforcement record of the crash, containing the officer’s findings and professional assessment.
How Crash Reports Are Used
- Insurance Claims
Insurance adjusters use crash reports to assess vehicle damage, determine fault, and calculate claim payouts. - Legal Proceedings
If you hire an attorney or go to court, the crash report is often used as evidence. While it’s not the final word on liability, it’s an important record. - Personal Record-Keeping
Having an official document outlining the incident can help you remember details if issues arise down the road (e.g., delayed injuries or additional property damage).
Special Considerations
- Hit-and-Run
Officers might include extra details, such as descriptions of the fleeing vehicle, suspect information, or witness statements. - Multiple Vehicle Crashes
Each vehicle is assigned a unit number. Pay close attention to these numbers in the narrative and diagram to follow the sequence of collisions. - Commercial Vehicle Crashes
These crashes may have extra data (like special license endorsements or hazardous materials details). Commercial crashes often involve more regulations, so the officer’s notes here may be more detailed.
Correcting Errors or Disputing the Report
If you find errors or discrepancies in your Texas crash report, consult your attorney immediately. Whether it’s a CR-2 Driver’s Report or CR-3 Peace Officer’s Report, your lawyer can review the documentation for accuracy and protect your interests. This is especially important with CR-3 reports, where officers make assessments based only on information available at the crash scene. Your attorney can gather additional evidence like surveillance footage or witness statements that weren’t initially available, and when warranted, work to have supplemental reports issued that reflect new evidence. Time is critical – delays in disputing report contents can affect credibility in both insurance claims and legal proceedings. Since officer reports inform both insurance determinations and potential legal matters, having your attorney review any discrepancies helps ensure your interests are properly protected.
Key Takeaways
- Know the Sections: The CR-3 is divided into clear parts—basic info, vehicles, injuries, damage codes, contributing factors, and a narrative/diagram.
- Understand the Codes: Direction of force, damage descriptions, and severity ratings help visualize how the crash happened.
- Use It Wisely: This document is a valuable tool for insurance claims, legal cases, and personal records.
- Double-Check Details: Mistakes in basic info can cause major headaches down the road.
Conclusion
Deciphering a Texas crash report may seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand how each section works, the document becomes much more approachable. The CR-3 form is designed to standardize and simplify the reporting process—allowing law enforcement, insurance companies, and individuals involved in a crash to rely on consistent information.
By taking the time to review and verify the details, you’ll gain a clear picture of what happened and be better prepared to handle insurance claims, legal disputes, or any future questions about the incident. If you ever feel lost, remember that you can reach out to the investigating agency, your insurance provider, or an attorney to make sure you fully understand your rights and responsibilities.
