By Pacheco Couceiro
After a motor vehicle crash in Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the documents people often need is the police crash report. In Texas, the report filed by the investigating officer is known as the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report, or Form CR-3. This guide explains what Texas law says about crash reports, who may request one, how to order a copy from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and what the official fees are. Each point is drawn from the Texas Transportation Code and TxDOT's own pages.
What Texas law requires at the scene
Chapter 550 of the Texas Transportation Code sets out duties after a collision (Tex. Transp. Code ch. 550):
- Stop and remain. A driver involved in a collision that results, or is reasonably likely to result, in injury or death must immediately stop at or as close as possible to the scene, determine whether anyone needs aid, and remain at the scene until giving the required information (§550.021).
- Exchange information. A driver involved in a collision resulting in injury, death or damage to an attended vehicle must give their name and address, the vehicle's registration number, and the name of their motor vehicle liability insurer, and show their driver's license if requested and available (§550.023).
- Render aid. The same section requires reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including arranging transportation to a physician or hospital when treatment is apparently necessary or the injured person requests it (§550.023).
- Report the collision. If a collision results in injury, death, or damage that leaves a vehicle unable to be normally and safely driven, the driver must immediately notify the local police department if the collision happened in a city, or, outside city limits, the sheriff's office or another office named in the statute (§550.026).
When an officer writes a crash report
Under §550.062, a law enforcement officer who investigates a motor vehicle collision in the regular course of duty must make a written report if the collision resulted in injury to or death of a person, or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more. The report must be filed electronically with TxDOT no later than the 10th day after the date of the collision (Tex. Transp. Code §550.062).
Because the report is filed electronically with TxDOT, it may not be available on the day of the crash.
Who may request a copy
Section 550.065 lists who may receive a crash report on written request and payment of any required fee. TxDOT repeats this list on its Crash reports and records page. It includes, among others:
- Any person involved in the collision, and their authorized representative
- A driver involved in the collision, and the driver's employer, parent or legal guardian
- The owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the collision
- A person who established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved, including a policyholder
- Insurance companies that issued a policy covering a vehicle or person involved
- Any person who may sue because of a death resulting from the collision
The statute also requires TxDOT or the governmental entity to create a redacted version of the report that any person may request. The redacted report leaves out items such as names, driver's license numbers, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers and insurance policy numbers (§550.065(c-1), (f)).
Step by step: ordering the report from TxDOT
Step 1: Collect the basic crash details
TxDOT's online system asks for search information about the crash. Have the date of the crash, the county and city where it happened, and the name of a person involved ready. If the officer gave you a card or paper with a crash or case number, keep it with you.
Step 2: Use the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System
TxDOT states that you may obtain a copy of a CR-3 by using its Crash Report Online Purchase System, linked from the Crash reports and records page. Customers using the online system receive their reports by email after purchase.
Step 3: Choose regular or certified
TxDOT lists two types of copies (TxDOT: Crash reports and records, checked October 10, 2026):
- $6 for a regular copy
- $8 for a certified copy. TxDOT explains that a certified copy is requested when a person needs an official document, such as for a legal proceeding.
These amounts match §550.065(d), which sets the fee for a copy at $6, an additional $2 for certification, and $6 for a certification that no report is on file. TxDOT notes that there is a minimal surcharge for using the online system and that additional processing fees may apply to credit card transactions.
Step 4: Ask the local agency if needed
The report is also held by the law enforcement agency whose officer investigated the crash, such as a city police department or county sheriff's office in Cameron or Hidalgo County. The statute allows release by "the department or the governmental entity" holding the report (§550.065(c)).
What to keep with your crash report
- The CR-3 copy itself (regular or certified)
- Photos of the scene and vehicles, if you took any
- The other driver's name, address, insurer and vehicle registration number exchanged at the scene
- Medical records and bills related to the crash
- Letters and claim numbers from insurance companies
- Repair estimates and invoices
Things to know
- Not every crash produces a CR-3. The officer's written report is required for crashes involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to any one person (§550.062).
- Reports are filed within 10 days. The statute gives officers until the 10th day after the collision to file electronically with TxDOT.
- Access is limited. Full reports are released to people listed in §550.065; others may request the redacted version.
- Changes have a set process. Under §550.068, a change that alters a material fact in an officer's report may be made only by the officer who prepared it, or by a written supplement that clearly names the person who originated the change.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CR-3?
It is the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report, the form an investigating officer completes and files with TxDOT.
How much does a copy cost?
TxDOT lists $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy, plus a minimal online surcharge and possible card processing fees (checked October 10, 2026).
How soon can I get it?
Texas law gives the officer until the 10th day after the collision to file the report electronically with TxDOT.
Can anyone order my report?
The full report is available to the people listed in §550.065, such as those involved, owners of damaged property and insurers. Anyone may request a redacted version.
What if something in the report is wrong?
Section 550.068 says a material change may be made only by the officer who prepared the report, or by a written supplement that identifies who made the change.
Do I need a certified copy?
TxDOT says a certified copy is requested when an official document is needed, such as for a legal proceeding.
Questions in the Rio Grande Valley
Pacheco Couceiro works with people in Brownsville and across South Texas on personal injury matters. If you were in a crash and have questions about your report or the documents you have gathered, you can contact our office.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.