How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Houston
After being injured in a car accident in Houston, the police will typically investigate the crash and make a detailed report. A police report has many vital uses in a lawsuit, so it is important to get a copy of yours.
You have several options to obtain your police accident report in Houston. While the fastest method is to request it online, online police reports usually redact or conceal critical information regarding the driver that hit you and the witnesses interviewed. This is why the best option to get your police report is by visiting the Houston Police Department in person, where you can obtain a complete copy of your report.
If you need help getting your police report after a car accident in Houston, our Houston personal injury attorneys can help you determine the best method that works for you. Call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 for a free assessment of your case.
How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Houston
If you are injured in a car accident in Houston, the police will typically investigate the crash and make an accident report. After your Houston car accident, you will have several methods to obtain a copy of the police report in your case. The Houston Police Department (HPD) is usually the organization that will respond to your crash and provides three options for getting your police reports, which can be done online, in person, or by mail. Regardless of the route you choose, you will need to provide the date of the accident and where the accident happened or the other driver’s name to collect a copy of your report. Our Arlington personal injury attorneys can help you request your police report so it can be put to use in your car accident claim.
Online Requests
The most convenient option for car accident victims to recover their police reports is online. Fortunately, you will have two online options to choose from, which will be important depending on who made your report. The first choice is to request it on HPD’s online portal. Again, you will either need your accident report number, your name and the date of the accident, or your name and the location of the accident to access your police report.
You can also request your police report directly from the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT) online portal. This is a good option if an agency other than the Houston Police Department made your crash report. However, you can also request an HPD report from the TDOT site if you choose.
It is important to note that critical information, like names and contact information, will be redacted on an online police report. You will need to request your report in person to obtain a full and unredacted copy. Our Dallas personal injury attorneys can guide you through the online process, so there are no delays in getting your police report.
In Person
In order to get a complete copy of your police report, you will need to make your request in person. This will often be the most thorough option since the information in the unredacted police report will be vital to your lawsuit. Police reports gathered in person will include information like the contact information of the driver that injured them and the names of witnesses that the police interviewed. Sometimes, this is the only way to identify the party you should sue and who to speak with to gather additional evidence.
To request a copy of your police report in person, you can visit the following address between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday:
- Houston Police Department
Edward A. Thomas Building
1200 Travis – 1st Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
It can take a little time before a report is made available, so it is best to call ahead to determine if a report is available to be picked up. Our personal injury lawyers can help you collect your report in person so you can access all the information regarding your accident.
Mail-In
Lastly, you can also request a copy of your police report through the mail. However, the key information mentioned above will usually be redacted on a police report requested via mail. Still, if this option suits your circumstances, our team can help you send the right documents, so your request is processed promptly. You can request your police report by mail by sending a check or money order along with the necessary accident information to the following address:
- Houston Police Department
Edward A. Thomas Building
Office of Legal Services
1200 Travis – 10th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request. Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers are ready to help you get your police report so that you can get started on the path to compensation.
How Soon Are Police Reports Available After a Car Accident in Houston?
While it is important to get your case moving as soon as possible, there is a little turnaround time before your police report will be available. It is generally best to wait a week before inquiring about your police report. According to the city of Houston, accident reports are typically available to crash victims five to eight business days after the accident occurred. If your report is still unavailable after eight days, contact our personal injury attorneys right away. We can help you get to the bottom of the delay in your report.
How Much Do Police Reports for a Car Accident Cost in Houston?
While police report requests are not free, they are not prohibitively expensive. The fee you will need to pay will depend on your chosen method. For online requests, there is a $7.50 fee per report. If you request your report in person or by mail, the fee is only $6. Our personal injury attorneys can help you with the issues affecting your ability to get a copy of your police report.
Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in a car accident and need to get your police report, our Plano, TX personal injury attorneys can help you get the information you need to request your report. For a free case review, contact The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. today at (817) 476-1797.
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