If you ever get into an accident in Garland, TX, you should get a report from the Garland Police Department as soon as possible.

Accident reports are essential evidence in car accident claims and could help strengthen your case. Thankfully, the Garland Police Department has several ways for you to obtain a copy of your accident report.

Do I Need a Copy of My Accident Report?

Most insurance companies require an official accident report to process a claim, especially if the accident involves injuries or significant vehicle damage. Accident reports written by the police provide an official record of the incident and include details such as the following:

• The date,
• The time,
• Location of the accident, 
• Vehicles involved,
• Drivers and passengers contact info,
• Insurance information,
• Eyewitness statements,
• The weather and road conditions, and 
• Any other information the officer deems relevant.

Having this information in an official accident report can be crucial later if there are disputes about what happened or who is at fault for the accident. 

The responding police officer will investigate the scene to gather as much information as possible and will later create an official accident report. Importantly, accident reports from the Garland police are generally not provided on the scene or even immediately after the crash. They can take several days or weeks to be ready for pickup. 

Information You Need to Request a Copy of Your Garland Accident Report

Before you try to get a copy of your Garland accident report, make sure you have the following information so the records unit can locate your report:

• Your name and the names of other drivers involved;
• The date and location of your accident; and
• The reporting officer’s information.

Remember that it may take a few days after your accident for your report to be available.

Getting Your Garland Police Accident Report

Currently, the Garland Police Department allows you to obtain Garland accident reports in person, online, or by mail through the Texas Department of Transportation. 

In-Person

If you would like to pick up your Garland accident report in person, you can visit the Garland Police Department at the following address:

Garland Police Department, Municipal Court, and Detention Center

• 1891 Forest Lane
• Garland, TX 75042
• Phone: 972-485-4840
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Get Directions

Before you head down to the police department, give them a call at 972-485-4840 to make sure they have a copy of your Garland accident report available.

Online

If your accident involves damages in excess of $1,000 or bodily harm, the responding officer fills out a CR-3 form, known as the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report. The Garland Police Department partners with the Texas Department of Transportation to provide electronic copies of these reports online. Usually, your report appears in the system 14 business days after the accident.

To get a copy of your Garland accident report online, head to the TxDOT Crash Records Information System website. Search for your crash report by name, driver’s license number, VIN number, or crash I.D. Once you find your Garland police accident report, you can download a PDF copy. Each uncertified copy of your report costs $6, while a certified copy costs $8.

By Mail

If you cannot go in person to pick up your Garland accident report or use the online system, you can purchase a copy by completing a CR-91 form and mailing it, along with payment, to the following address:

• Crash Data and Analysis
• Texas Department of Transportation
• P.O. Box 12879
• Austin, TX 78711

Make your check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Transportation. Just like the online system, uncertified copies are $6 each, while certified copies are $8 each. Remember that requesting your Garland police accident report by mail may take up to 30 days.

If the Accident Is Minor, Should I Still Get an Accident Report from the Garland Police?

Even if the accident is a minor fender bender and there are no apparent injuries or substantial damage, requesting an accident report is still a good idea. At the very least, it provides an official account of the events for your records. 

If the accident does not require a police or emergency personnel response, you can still go to the Garland Police Station later and report the accident. You will be asked to provide all of the same information you would have provided on the scene. 

Injuries are sometimes not immediately apparent, or vehicle damage can look insignificant but become costly later. Having an accident report will help you pursue your claim if it should become necessary at a later time. If you are still determining whether to obtain a motor vehicle accident report, we strongly encourage you to consult an experienced auto accident attorney. Pursuing a claim or lawsuit almost always requires an official accident report, so if you have even a tiny inkling that you may pursue a case later, it’s wise to obtain the report. 

Talk to an Experienced Garland Car Accident Lawyer Today About Your Case

If you have any issues obtaining your Garland accident report, we can get it for you at no cost. To request your Garland Police accident report, visit https://www.accidentreportsnow.com/.

If you ever suffer injuries in a car accident, call our experienced car accident lawyers in Garland. At Grossman Law Offices, our assertive litigation tactics have helped us win high settlements and verdicts in thousands of personal injury cases.

With several decades of experience representing car accident victims, our Garland personal injury attorneys know what it takes to get maximum compensation for every client. Call us at 855-326-0000 or complete the form below for a free consultation.