In a perfect world, you’d never need to know how to fill out and file an accident report. Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect, and vehicle accidents happen. While you can be fortunate enough to never be involved in an accident, chances are you’ll find yourself in some type of vehicle collision at some point.
Regardless of the type of car crash, filling out an accident report is probably going to be part of the process. This means you’ll need to present accurate documentation when reporting car accidents.
So, what type of documentation do you need? To help bolster your understanding a bit, here’s a refresher on what you need to know about filing an accident report after a vehicle collision.
Are You Legally Required to Report All Car Accidents
When it comes to reporting vehicle accidents, laws vary a little by state. However, if a collision occurs in Texas you may not be legally required to alert the authorities. Before you exchange information with the other involved driver and hop back into your vehicle, some accidents you’re legally required to report.
So, when is it a legal requirement? You’ll need to call the authorities if your car accident meets the following conditions:
- The motor vehicle accident results in injuries and/or fatalities
- If an involved vehicle’s damage makes it impossible to drive or property damage exceeds $1,000
- When one or more involved vehicles aren’t legally insured
- If an accident report is a request of a responding law enforcement official
You can skip reporting a vehicle accident if it doesn’t meet these criteria. However, it’s rarely a good idea. If an issue with your health or vehicle pops up after the accident, you may not be able to claim damages without the accident report. Texas does allow a short grace period for drivers involved in car accidents.
You can still file an accident report as long as it’s no longer than 10 days past the date of the collision.
Which Accident Form Should You Fill Out?
Car accidents can leave you shaken and confused. The last thing you need is to try and figure out if you need form CR-2 or CR-3. If you’re not even sure what these forms are, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
CR-2, also known as the Blue Form, is the one you want to concentrate on. The CR-3, or Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, is handled by the responding authorities. The two forms are similar, except you fill one out and the responding officers take care of the other one.
You can request a copy of CR-3, but it’s not going to be available on the day of the accident. Typically, it takes around 7 business days for your CR-3 to be ready.
How to Fill Out The Blue Form Accident Report
The amount of detailed information included in Texas’s Blue Form is often surprising. This is also a reason why your vehicle accident report can be invaluable evidence in a personal injury claim.
Yes, the form will ask standard questions like your name, address, and contact information. You’ll also find questions about the status of your insurance. From there, the sections on the form can get a little more detailed. You may have trouble providing all of the requested information, so just do your best. Don’t leave any sections blank, but if you’re unsure of an answer, you don’t want to guess.
Remember, this is an official document and all supplied information must be accurate. If you run into trouble, ask for guidance from a responding law enforcement officer.
You’ll need to provide information on events leading up to the accident, which includes your recollection of how the accident occurred. Be detailed in your account, but don’t exaggerate your actions. You also want to refrain from guessing at the other involved driver’s actions or intentions. You’ll find another section dedicated to your vehicle information, which includes the make, model, year, and license plate information.
Thankfully, you don’t need to know your vehicle’s VIN. While usually not difficult to find on your vehicle, look on the driver’s door, this isn’t something most drivers know off the top of their heads.
The Blue Form also has a diagram section, but don’t worry; you don’t need to be an artist. While earlier it’s mentioned not to leave a section blank, this can be the sole exception. If you make a mistake in your drawing of the accident scene or your diagram is open to interpretation, the insurance company can use it against you if you decide to file a claim. Your best option is to simply reference the information in the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report.
Finally, sign and date the form and submit it to the authorities. You’ll also want to keep a copy of the Blue Form for your records. You can also request a copy online or at your local police station. This is also when you can request a copy of the officer’s CR-3.
Necessary Documents for a CR-2 Form
Filling out the Blue Form can be a little stressful, especially immediately following an accident. Since this is an official document, you may be wondering about what documentation you’ll need to present.
Guess what? This is taken care of at the accident scene. The responding officer will request your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. If you can’t provide this information, you may receive a traffic citation. Don’t panic though, as most are dismissed once you present the requested documents.
What about if you decided to not immediately report the accident? If the vehicle wreck doesn’t result in injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you and the other involved driver can legally leave the accident scene. You also have ten days to file a Blue Form online. This may mean scanning and submitting the requested documentation or at least including the information in the report.
Ensure You Receive Compensation By Filling Out the Blue Form
The Blue Form, with its numerous sections, can seem daunting and time-consuming to complete. Nevertheless, this form is a critical piece of documentation in your claim process. Without it, substantiating your case for compensation becomes significantly harder.
The Blue Form serves as a key piece of evidence, verifying the occurrence of the accident and supporting your account of the events. By meticulously filling out this form, you not only adhere to procedural requirements but also bolster your position in seeking rightful compensation.
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