If you were in a car accident in which you or a loved one was injured in Denton, a police report is an integral part of maximizing your recovery.
Without a police report, the insurance company will not consider your claim legitimate, as there is no official documentation of the accident.
How to File a Denton County Accident Report
Following an accident, in case of an emergency, call 911. In non-emergency situations, call (214) 200-4878.
When you call the non-emergency number, you can request that an officer respond in person or, in some cases, request that an officer return your call instead.
Generally, if a police officer is at the scene of an accident, they will prepare and file an accident report.
Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires any law enforcement officer who investigates a motor vehicle crash that results in injury or damage worth $1,000 or more to submit, including in Denton, TX, accident reports to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Most crashes exceed the $1,000 limit, so when motor vehicle accidents happen in Denton, police reports are usually required.
If a police officer did not respond to the scene of your car accident, but you, your passengers, or your vehicle sustained damage, and the accident occurred in Denton, accident reports need to be filed online.
Please answer the following yes or no questions to determine if an online police report is the appropriate reporting method for you:
- Is this an emergency?
- Is this incident currently in progress?
- Did the incident occur outside the city limits of Denton, Texas?
- Do you have suspect information that officers should promptly investigate?
- Is there physical evidence that needs to be collected?
If you answered “no” to the above questions, you may file your police report online.
What Is Included in Denton Police Reports?
Police and accident reports memorialize an accident and create official documents that the insurance company, or a court, can use to analyze fault after an accident. Because of this, it is very important that the report be as detailed as possible.
Additionally, Texas requires certain information to be included in the report.
Pursuant to the Texas Transportation Code §550.064, the police department prepares a report when one is requested by other police departments, coroners, sheriffs, garages, and other suitable agencies or individuals.
Denton County accident reports must include the following:
- Information disclosing the cause and conditions of the persons and vehicles involved in an accident;
- Information identifying a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services employee if they were involved in an accident while performing their duties;
- Statement by emergency personnel as to the nature of the accident; and
- Information concerning whether the individual involved in the accident wants to be contacted by a person seeking employment as a professional, like an attorney or private investigator.
Due to their confidential nature, Denton County accident reports are not available for online viewing by the general public.
You may obtain a copy of a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report by using the Crash Report Online Purchase System.
Our Car Accident Attorneys at The Law Office of Aaron Herbert Can Help
All of this can be very confusing, especially if you are also dealing with injuries, damage to your car, or lost wages after an accident.
The Law Office of Aaron Herbert can help you understand your legal options after an accident and can help you collect vital evidence, including Denton accident reports.
Contact us today online or by phone to schedule a free consultation.