How Do I Get a Police Report

You can get a police report for a car accident in Houston by filing a request online, in person, or by mail. It generally becomes available anywhere from eight to 10 days after the initial report was filed.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident another driver caused, you have the right to pursue payment for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Oftentimes, the police report is the best source of information to help you build a strong car accident claim.

Our team can help you get a police report for a car accident in Houston.

How to get a copy of a police report in Houston 

If the Houston Police Department (HPD) responded to your crash, you can obtain a copy of your report online, in person, or by mail.

You must know at least two of these details to get a copy of the report:

  • The date of the accident;
  • Where the accident happened; or
  • The names of the drivers or other people involved.

You can secure the police report online

You can purchase a copy of your report online for a $7.50 fee. It is important to note that the HPD only offers redacted reports online. These reports are missing key information, including the names and contact information of the drivers involved in the crash. For the full police report, you will need to request a copy in person.

You can get a copy of the report in person 

For a full report, you must go in person to the HPD Records Division at 1200 Travis St., Houston, TX, 77002. You must visit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The in-person fee for a police report is $6.

You can get a copy of the police report by mail 

You may also request a copy of your report by mail. The HPD will need a check or money order for the $6 fee, as well as a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request.

Why do you need the police report after a car crash?

In order to recover damages, you need to prove the other driver—or another third party—caused your car accident. This can often be hard to do since the other party may not want to admit fault for the accident.

Police reports often contain essential information about an accident, including:

  • The date and location of the crash
  • The contact information of those involved
  • Statements from witnesses
  • The officer’s understanding of what happened

If the other driver received a citation for violating a traffic law, that may also appear in the report. That information can offer compelling proof that the other driver caused the wreck and is responsible for your damages.

The police report could establish negligence in your case 

To recover funds from the other driver or their insurer, you will need to show that they acted negligently. Basically, this involves proving that:

  • The other driver had an obligation to employ safe driving practices.
  • The other driver failed to uphold this obligation by speeding, driving drunk, or drag racing.
  • You were injured in a car accident.
  • Because of the collision, you have losses, whether they are financial, emotional, or physical in nature.

The police report is just one piece of information that can help validate these four statements.

What other information can support your claim? 

If you were hurt in a car accident, the police report is just one piece of evidence that could bolster your claim. With our team’s help, we can gather and use the following items to support your case:

  • Your medical records
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Accident reconstruction specialist testimony
  • Information from your healthcare team
  • Your injury-related invoices and billing statements
  • Traffic camera footage
  • Photos and videos of the accident scene

You do not need to worry about gathering this evidence on your own because our team will handle the investigation for you.

Examples of damages you can collect if your case succeeds 

The police report, along with other forms of evidence, could help you secure financial recovery for the following:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages (including tips, commissions, bonuses, and promotional opportunities)
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering and inconvenience
  • Property damage expenses
  • Scarring and disfigurement

You could recover other types of expenses than those listed here. Remember: Texas law generally gives you two years to file a car accident lawsuit in Houston. By acting before this deadline expires, you can protect your legal rights.

You can speak with a lawyer from our firm about your claim 

Our Houston, Texas, personal injury lawyers at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC can help you obtain the police report—as well as other evidence—to support your claim. Contact us today at 713-850-8600 to set up a free claim evaluation with an attorney.