How to Get a Police Report for an Accident in Houston

After a car accident in Houston, getting a copy of the police report is one of the first things you'll want to do, especially if you're filing an insurance claim or the other driver disputes what happened.

The good news is that you have several ways to obtain your report, including ordering it online, requesting it by mail, or visiting the Houston Police Department's Records Division.

Our car crash lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek explain how to get a police report for an accident in Houston, including where to request your copy, what information you'll need, and how long the process takes

For a free consultation about your accident, call (832) 690-7000 or contact our office online.

3 Ways to Request Your Houston Police Accident Report

If HPD investigated your collision, there are three ways to request the report. Here's how to get a police report for a car accident in Houston through the department's available request options.

Before getting started, check for the incident number on any paperwork or information card the responding officer gave you at the scene. If you can't find it, you can still search using details such as the accident date, location, and drivers' names.

1. Request Your Houston Accident Report Online

Ordering online is a convenient option if you don't want to visit the police department. HPD directs accident report requests to the LexisNexis police report service. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the LexisNexis Police Reports website.
2. Select Texas as the state.
3. Choose Houston PD as the reporting agency.
4. Enter the requested accident information to locate your report.
5. Complete the eligibility questions and purchase the report.
6. Follow the website's instructions to retrieve your copy.

You can also purchase Texas crash reports through the Texas Department of Transportation's online system. A regular report costs $6, while a certified copy costs $8. Online services can charge additional processing fees.

2. Request Your Accident Report by Mail

HPD also accepts mailed requests through its Records Division. Here's how to request your copy:

1. Download the HPD Crash Report Request Form.
2. Enter the accident date, location, incident number, and names of the drivers involved.
3. Complete the section identifying your relationship to the accident and sign the form.
4. Include a check or money order for $6 for a regular copy or $8 for a certified copy, payable to the City of Houston.
5. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail everything to:

Houston Police Department
Records Division, Public Counter Unit
1200 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002

Allow additional time for mailing and processing.

3. Visit the Houston Police Department in Person

If you'd rather request your report in person, visit HPD's Records Division in downtown Houston.

Houston Police Department Records Division
1200 Travis Street, 1st Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 308-8500, Option 3

Bring your identification, accident details, and payment. You can also complete the crash report request form before your visit. Call ahead to confirm the report is available and check the Records Division's current counter hours.

What Information Do You Need to Request a Houston Accident Report?

The police department needs enough information to locate the correct accident report and verify that you're entitled to receive a copy.

Have the following ready before submitting your request:

• Accident date: The day the collision occurred.
• Accident location: The street, intersection, or highway where it happened.
• Driver information: The names of the drivers involved.
• Incident number: The number provided by the responding officer, if available.
• Identification: Your driver's license or another accepted form of identification.

Who is allowed to request a Texas accident report? Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, full crash reports are available to people with a qualifying connection to the accident. This includes drivers involved in the crash, vehicle owners, their attorneys, and insurance companies handling related claims.

If you were involved in the accident, you can request your own report by providing the required information and confirming your eligibility.

Having trouble with an insurance claim after a Houston car accident? Pierce Skrabanek represents people injured by negligent drivers and helps them pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. Call (832) 690-7000 for a free case review.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report in Houston?

Houston police accident reports aren't available immediately after a collision. The responding officer must complete the report and submit it for processing before the Records Division can release it.

HPD recommends waiting at least 10 days after the accident before requesting your copy.

If your report still isn't available after that period, call the HPD Records Division at (713) 308-8500, Option 3, to check its status.

What if Another Police Agency Responded to Your Houston Accident?

The Houston Police Department won't have your accident report if another law enforcement agency investigated the collision.

For example, the Harris County Sheriff's Office investigates crashes within its jurisdiction, while Texas Department of Public Safety troopers respond to certain highway accidents.

Check the officer's information card or any paperwork you received at the scene to identify the responding agency. You can then contact that agency's records department or search for the report through the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System.

If no officer investigated the accident and prepared a crash report, there won't be an official police report to request.

Need Help After a Houston Car Accident?

Your Houston police accident report provides a record of the collision, including the drivers involved, vehicle damage, reported injuries, and the responding officer's observations. Insurance companies use this information when evaluating accident claims, especially when the drivers disagree about fault.

Pierce Skrabanek has recovered over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients, with more than 30 years of combined legal experience handling personal injury cases.

If you were injured in a Houston car accident, our attorneys can help obtain your police report, gather additional evidence, and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

Call Pierce Skrabanek at (832) 690-7000 or send us an online message for a free consultation.