You’ve been in a car crash and suffered injuries. It can be a chaotic time, with emotions and adrenalin
running at a high level. After an accident, you should contact the police to come to the scene and
request that they make an accident report. How does this work in practice?
Hello, my name is Michael Galyen and I handle personal injury claims at the law firm of Bailey & Galyen.
We bring 40 years of experience in personal injury law to people across the state of Texas.
In Texas, unlike many states, the law requires you to report the accident to police if someone was
injured or if there was property damage in excess of $1,000. Once you report the accident, the police
officer must then complete what’s called a “Peace Officer’s Crash Report.”
In Texas, the crash report includes:
- The date, time and location of the crash
- The names of all parties involved in the wreck, as well as witnesses
- Statements from the parties and the witnesses
- A description of any damage to the vehicles, along with pictures taken at the scene and time of
the crash - A description of any injuries suffered by parties or bystanders
- A narrative from the police officer stating, in his opinion, how the accident occurred, who
caused it, and whether any tickets were issued - A diagram of the accident scene
It is important to tell the police officer everything about the accident and be sure to include any injuries you may have suffered.
So, what is the benefit of having a police report?
Even though we gather information from a variety of sources, it’s common practice to rely on the work of law enforcement officers. In fact, insurance companies are more likely to believe the statements of a police officer over someone who was injured in the crash. The police officer has no vested interest in the outcome of the investigation, but you may.
If the officer’s report absolves you of any responsibility, it can be a powerful tool to help expedite your claim with the insurance company and help improve your chances of getting full and fair compensation. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, make Bailey & Galyen your first call. We will be your advocate with insurers to help maximize your recovery.
