Ask a Lawyer - Archive

What are the rules regarding instances in which police officers must file written reports after auto accidents?

Thank you for your question. Texas Transportation Code 550.061 establishes the rules regarding auto accident police reports. The Code requires police to create incident reports for accidents that result in injury or death of a person. Also, a police officer must create a written report when the accident results in at least one thousand dollars of damage to vehicles or property. When an officer is required to create a written report, such report must be submitted within 10 days after the accident. The officer may issue the report regardless of whether he or she investigated the accident at the scene of the crash or investigated the crash long significantly after it occurred.

If an officer did not create a report, persons involved may submit their own reports within 10 days of the accident under Texas Transportation Code 550.062. The absence of a written report created by a police officer does not reflect on the merits of your case.