Rich Hyde | August 26, 2026 | Car Accidents
You can get a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) for a Fort Worth car accident through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Report Online Purchase System. Upon paying the required fee, you will receive a copy of your report via email.
The CR-3 can be an important record after a crash because it contains information gathered by the investigating officer. Knowing how to find and review it can help you understand how the collision was documented.
What Is a Texas CR-3 Crash Report?
A CR-3 is the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report used by law enforcement agencies to document reportable motor vehicle crashes. Law enforcement agencies submit crash reports electronically to TxDOT through the Crash Reporting and Analysis for Safer Highways (CRASH) application or through an approved electronic submission service.
A report may contain information about the drivers and vehicles, the crash location, injuries, roadway conditions, contributing factors, and a diagram of the collision. It reflects the officer’s investigation but does not necessarily decide who will ultimately be legally responsible for an accident.
How Do You Get a CR-3 Accident Report in Fort Worth?
The simplest way to get a car accident report in Fort Worth is to use TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System.
The process generally involves:
- Visiting TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System
- Searching for the correct collision
- Providing the requested identifying information
- Selecting a regular or certified report
- Paying the required fee
- Receiving the purchased report electronically
Customers who use the online purchase system receive their reports by email after purchase.
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers can also obtain and review crash records when representing someone injured in a Fort Worth collision. The firm’s attorneys have a decade of combined personal injury experience and have recovered $40 million in compensation for past clients.
How Much Does a Texas Crash Report Cost?
TxDOT currently charges $6 for a regular copy of a crash report and $8 for a certified copy. Credit card processing charges may also apply.
A certified copy may be the better option when an official version of the document is needed for a legal proceeding. For many people who simply want to review what the officer recorded, a regular copy may be sufficient.
What if Your Fort Worth Crash Report Is Not Available Yet?
If the search returns no report, the report may not yet have been approved. The Fort Worth Police Department advises people to call 817-392-4160 to check the report’s status and confirm that an accident report was made at the scene.
A delay does not necessarily mean that no report exists. Officers must complete and submit the document, and it must move through the appropriate processing system before it becomes available for purchase.
Who Can Obtain a Texas CR-3 Report?
Texas crash reports are confidential and are not simply available for public viewing online. However, Texas Transportation Code § 550.065 allows certain people with a proper interest in the collision to obtain a report.
This can include crash participants, involved drivers, authorized representatives, vehicle or damaged property owners, and qualifying insurance companies. People who do not meet the statutory criteria may receive a redacted copy of the crash report.
TxDOT requires crash reports to be purchased through its designated system rather than making them freely viewable online.
Why Is the CR-3 Important After a Fort Worth Car Accident?
The crash report can help identify witnesses, vehicles, insurance information, road conditions, and facts recorded shortly after the collision. It may also show contributing factors noted by the investigating officer.
However, the CR-3 is only one piece of evidence. Photos, videos, medical records, witness statements, vehicle damage, and other records may provide additional information about how the crash occurred and who may be responsible.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Get a CR-3 in Texas?
There is no single guaranteed processing time. If a Fort Worth report does not appear in the online system, you can contact the police department to check whether it has been approved.
Is a CR-3 the Same as a Police Report?
The CR-3 is specifically the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report. A police agency may also create other records connected with an accident or investigation.
Can I Correct an Error on My CR-3?
You cannot simply edit the officer’s report yourself. If you believe it contains an error, contact the investigating law enforcement agency and ask about its procedure for reviewing or supplementing crash reports.
Do I Need a Certified CR-3 for an Insurance Claim?
Not always. A regular copy may be enough for many purposes, while a certified copy may be needed when an official document is required in a legal proceeding.
Contact the Fort Worth Car Accident Attorneys at Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers for Help
A crash report can provide useful information, but it may not tell the whole story about how an accident happened. Additional evidence may be needed to determine fault, document injuries, and evaluate the full effect of a collision.
For more information, contact Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fort Worth car accident attorney in Fort Worth, TX, today.
We are proud to serve clients throughout Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and the surrounding communities in Texas.
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
4528 W Vickery Blvd #202, Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 400-5000
Available 24/7
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers – Coppell
202 W Sandy Lake Rd ste 105, Coppell, TX 75019
(817) 400-5000
Available 24/7
COPPELL
For more information, contact Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Coppell personal injury lawyer in Coppell, TX, today.
We are proud to serve clients throughout Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Coppell, and the surrounding communities in Texas.
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers – Coppell
202 W Sandy Lake Rd ste 105, Coppell, TX 75019
(817) 400-5000
Available 24/7
Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
4528 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 400-5000
Available 24/7