If you are involved in a car accident in Dallas, you should get a copy of your Dallas accident report. An accident report is a written record of the crash created by the responding officer. The report serves as foundational evidence for your auto accident injury case.

You have a few ways to obtain your accident report from the Dallas Police Department – in person, online, or by mail.

Information Required to Get Your Dallas Accident Report

To obtain a copy of your Dallas Police accident report, you must provide:

• The name(s) of any party involved (including vehicles & license plates);
• The location of the accident;
• The date the accident took place; and
• The police service number given by the reporting officer.

Keep in mind that your Dallas accident report may not be available immediately after your accident. Accident reports, whether requested in person, online, or by mail, are usually available within 5 to 7 business days after the incident.

To find out if your Dallas Police accident report is available, you can call 214-671-3345.

Getting Your Dallas Accident Report Online

While the Dallas Police Department doesn’t offer online copies of accident reports, the Texas Department of Transportation does. Visit the Crash Report Online Purchase System, where you can search for your accident by name, vehicle identification number (VIN), driver’s license number, or crash ID.

Be aware that it can take up to two weeks from the accident for your details to be found in the system.

Getting Your DPD Accident Report In Person

If you would like to obtain a copy of your Dallas Police accident report in person, visit the customer service window at the address below.

Dallas Police Department Contact Information

A copy of your Dallas accident report costs $6. Make sure you have payment with you when you make the request.

Getting Your Dallas Accident by Mail

You can request your Dallas Police accident report by sending a stamped envelope to the Dallas Police Department Open Records Unit. Be sure to include identifying information about your crash (names of parties involved, vehicles, license plate numbers, etc.). You will need to include a check or money order of $6 as payment.

The mailing address for the Dallas Police Department is the same as the physical address above.

What Is an Accident Report from the Police Department?

After an emergency or accident, the first thing to do is to call 9-1-1. Emergency services like paramedics, the police, and the fire department are the first on the scene. The responding police officers will make a report to document the accident or emergency scene.

After responding to a car accident, Dallas police will do the following:

• Maintain the integrity of the scene,
• Investigate the accident,
• Identify the cause of the accident, and
• Assess the damage.

The officer will put together the police accident report. Important information in this report includes the following:

• Day and time of the accident,
• Location of the accident,
• Names of the parties involved,
• Explanation of any injuries sustained by the parties, 
• Description of the vehicles, and
• A summary of the accident.

This police report serves a crucial purpose if the car accident victim brings a personal injury claim against the party whose negligence caused the accident.

Why Do I Need the Accident Report from the Dallas Police?

Police reports contain evidence essential to determine a party’s fault. The benefits of having a police report include the following.

Accident Reporting

In Texas, if someone is involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury, death, or significant vehicle damage, they must report the accident to the police. Making sure the police report is filed is the law.

Important Details

Lawyers were not at the accident scene. They do not have all the specifics. The trauma of the accident may impair any memories the parties involved have.

The police report acts as a neutral and highly critical piece of evidence. The details it has can help your lawyer reconstruct the accident scene to learn about your case and build an effective plan to represent you. 

Evidence of Negligence

A car accident police report can inform who or what caused the accident. For example, it may say the other driver was given a breathalyzer and was intoxicated. This information about the other driver’s intoxication provides evidence of their negligence.

Injured? Speak to a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in an accident, speak with one of our experienced car accident lawyers in Dallas. Grossman Law Offices has won thousands of cases, and we pride ourselves on our aggressive approach. Our goal is to obtain maximum compensation for every client.

With over 30 years of experience and dozens of significant settlements, our car accident lawyers in Dallas have one of the best track records in Texas. Please give us a call at 855-326-0000 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.