What to Expect from Police After a Car Accident

Your heart is racing, traffic is piling up, and it feels like ten different things need your attention at once. In moments like this, understanding what the police will do can help lower your stress and protect your claim.

At the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec, we have stood with crash victims in Houston and nearby communities since 1996. In this guide, we explain what officers do at the scene, how the police crash report affects your case, and simple steps you can take to help yourself.

Initial Actions of Police at the Accident Scene

When officers respond to a car crash in Texas, their primary focus is on safety. Their first look is for hazards like leaking fuel, stalled vehicles in live lanes, or drivers standing in traffic. They work to stabilize the area, then move into fact-gathering.

You will often see officers handle these tasks right away:

• Secure the scene with patrol cars, cones, or flares to prevent a second crash.
• Check for injuries and call EMS, then guide medics to the right patients.
• Direct traffic around the site to clear bottlenecks and create a safe work zone.
• Identify drivers and separate them from each other and from witnesses to prevent story swapping.
• Scan for hazards such as glass, debris, or downed signs that require prompt removal.

If you can do so safely, remain calm, move slowly, and follow directions. Quick cooperation helps officers work faster and keeps everyone safer.

Gathering Information and Evidence at the Scene

Once the area is under control, officers begin documenting the events that occurred. They speak with drivers, passengers, and nearby witnesses one at a time to reduce confusion and pressure.

• Separate interviews with drivers and witnesses, often recorded on body cam or in notes.
• Photos of vehicle damage, debris fields, skid or yaw marks, and traffic controls like lights or stop signs.
• Tape or digital measurements of skid marks and final vehicle positions for speed and distance analysis.
• Written or recorded statements that capture what people saw and heard.
• Checks for nearby cameras, along with requests for footage from businesses or homes.

In higher-impact crashes, officers can also look to electronic data. Event Data Recorders, also known as black boxes, can display speed, throttle, braking, and seatbelt status data seconds before impact.

Police Crash Report: A Key Document in Your Claim

Texas officers are required to complete a detailed police crash report when a wreck results in injury, death, or apparent property damage exceeding $1,000. Under Texas Transportation Code section 550.062, the CR-3 report is typically filed within ten days. This document becomes a central record that insurers study closely.

Table: What a Texas CR-3 Police Crash Report Usually Contains

Report Section	What It Includes	Why It Matters
Date, time, location	Exact crash time, roadway, lane, direction	Lines up stories and traffic patterns for clarity
Parties and insurance	Driver IDs, contact, policy info, vehicle data	Gives carriers what they need to open and assign claims
Injuries and damage	On-scene complaints, visible harm, property loss	Helps prove impact forces and medical need
Diagram and narrative	Sketch of vehicle paths with a written summary	Creates a timeline that adjusters and juries can follow
Contributing factors	Speeding, distraction, failure to yield, impairment	Points to liability and policy defenses that could arise
Citations	Tickets or arrests connected to the crash	Supports negligence arguments, though not conclusive

Insurance companies lean on the report when valuing claims, setting reserves, and deciding fault. A clean, detailed CR-3 often speeds up the process and backs up your version of events.

What If the Police Crash Report Is Incomplete or Inaccurate?

Gaps or mistakes can slow a claim or even push an adjuster to dispute fault. The good news is that many agencies will update a report when new information becomes available.

1. Get a copy quickly and read it line by line, including the diagram.
2. Collect evidence that confirms the problem is fixed, such as photos, medical records, or video footage.
3. Contact the investigating agency and ask how to request an amendment.
4. Follow up in writing, attach your proof, and keep copies.
5. Talk with an attorney who can coordinate corrections and protect your claim.

Do not argue at the scene. It is much easier to add evidence through the proper channel than to debate in the roadway.

Traffic Tickets and Determining Fault in Texas Accidents

Officers can issue tickets for violations linked to the crash, such as speeding or running a red light. That citation can support a negligence argument, yet it is not the final word on fault in a civil claim.

Texas follows the doctrine of proportionate responsibility under Tex. Civ. Prac. and Rem. Code Chapter 33. If a driver holds more than 50 percent of the blame, that driver cannot recover injury damages. A ticket is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture, and court appearances can be required to address the charge.

Advanced Investigations for Serious Accidents

Severe or complex crashes require more in-depth analysis. In those cases, specialized units or reconstruction teams step in to map the scene and analyze forces.

• Accident reconstruction with time‑distance and momentum analysis.
• Vehicle inspections for brake, tire, and steering defects.
• Event Data Recorder downloads with speed and braking data.
• Total station or 3D scans to lock in measurements.
• Blood alcohol or drug testing when impairment is suspected.

These teams get called for fatalities, serious injuries, multi‑car pileups, commercial vehicle crashes, or when criminal charges are on the table. Their work often shapes both the criminal case and your civil claim.

How Police Investigations Influence Insurance Claims

A thorough police investigation gives an official account that adjusters can trust. It captures injuries and damage early, while the scene is still fresh, and it flags liability issues that impact settlement value.

When the police crash report is detailed and the photos, measurements, and statements line up, claims tend to move faster. When the report is thin, carriers push for more proof, which can delay payment and create disputes you never needed.

Seeking Assistance After a Car Accident? Contact Us Today

We have helped injured Texans rebuild their lives, and we are committed to delivering results that help you move forward. If you’re experiencing pain after a crash, we welcome your questions and offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your concerns. Call 281-643-2000, or reach us through our Contact Us page. Feel free to call us even if you are not sure where to start. We will walk you through your options and next steps.