After a Car Accident in Houston: Your Evidence Checklist

When a crash turns your week upside down, proof is what moves a claim forward. This guide is your houston car accident evidence checklist—plain steps to gather and protect the records that show what happened, how you were hurt, and what it’s costing you. We’ll also note where to get official documents in Houston and the greater Houston area, and why timing matters under Texas law. (General info only, not legal advice.)

Why Evidence—and Timing—Matter

Texas gives most people two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting risks lost footage, missing witnesses, and records that get harder to find. The statute is set out in Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003.

Police must also file an official collision report (the CR-3) when there’s an injury, death, or at least $1,000 in apparent property damage. That report becomes a key record for insurers and the court. 

At the Scene: Quick Items to Capture

Use your phone and a calm checklist mindset. If you can’t do it yourself, ask a passenger or bystander to help.

• car accident photos checklist: vehicles from all angles, close-ups of damage, interior airbag deployment, license plates, and any road debris.
• Scene context: lane markings, traffic signals, skid marks, weather, and lighting.
• dashcam video evidence: save the file immediately and back it up. If a nearby driver or business has cameras, ask them to preserve video.
• witness statements: get names, numbers, and brief notes on what they saw.
• Your own notes: pain, dizziness, or limited motion—log it as soon as you feel it.

Crash investigators rely on photos, measurements, and injury-source documentation—methods reflected in the NHTSA Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS).

The Official Report: Houston Police Accident Report and the Texas CR-3

Two records help anchor your claim:

1) Houston incident/accident report details.
HPD’s Records Division releases crash reports after processing (typically several days). You’ll be asked to provide specific identifiers to obtain a copy. HPD’s page explains what you need and who to contact. Details are on the Houston Police Department — Public Information (Records Division).

2) The Texas CR-3 crash report.
Texas law requires an officer to file a written report for qualifying crashes, and TxDOT maintains those records statewide. You can purchase the Texas CR-3 crash report through TxDOT’s online system.

Tip for the greater Houston area: even if the responding agency isn’t HPD (for example, a suburban department in Harris or Montgomery County), the CR-3 still routes to TxDOT. Start with TxDOT if you’re unsure which agency took the report.

Medical Records After a Car Accident

Prompt care protects your health and links injuries to the crash in the records. Keep these organized:

• ER and urgent care records: diagnoses, imaging, discharge instructions.
• Primary care and specialist notes: treatment plans and referrals.
• Physical therapy records: progress notes, home exercise guidance.
• Pharmacy receipts and itemized bills: medication names and costs.
• Work records: doctor restrictions and missed time.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) advises documenting treatment and claim details; its consumer pages are a good reminder to keep everything in one place.

Insurance Calls and Recorded Statements

It’s common to get quick calls asking for a recorded statement to insurance. Be careful. TDI explains how to work with insurers, what to collect, and what to avoid saying before you understand the claim. If the other driver’s carrier is calling, you can decline a recorded statement and provide basic information later in writing.

If the driver who hit you has no coverage or flees the scene, you may have an uninsured motorist claim under your own policy. TDI’s guidance covers how these claims work and the kind of proof insurers expect. 

Photos and Video That Carry Weight

Good visuals tell a clear story:

• Damage patterns: bumper heights, crush zones, and seat/helmet marks can help show force and direction.
• Environment: construction signs, lane closures, or puddles and glare at certain times of day.
• People: careful, respectful photos that show visible injuries (bruising, swelling) as your treatment progresses.

These are the same kinds of details professional crash teams examine when they analyze collisions nationwide.

Police Reports, Forms, and Codes: What They Mean For Your Claim

A few quick definitions you’ll see in forms and letters:

• CR-3 (Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report): the statewide report your officer files after a qualifying crash; TxDOT keeps the database and sells copies through its portal.
• Officer’s duty to report: when there’s injury, death, or $1,000+ damage, officers must file the report, generally within 10 days.
• Houston police accident report access: HPD explains how to request reports and what identifiers you’ll need.

If your crash happened in the greater Houston area but outside city limits, you’ll still end up with a CR-3 through TxDOT once the local agency files it. 

Fault Rules: Texas Comparative Negligence in Plain Language

Texas follows proportionate responsibility. If you’re over 50% at fault, you can’t recover damages. If you’re 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility (for example, 20% at fault means 80% of damages paid). The rule lives in Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 33.

This makes clear, consistent evidence important. Photos, reliable witness statements, and medical records help push back when an insurer tries to assign too much blame to you.

Deadlines and Follow-Through

Two timing notes to keep on your fridge:

• The general statute of limitations (personal injury) is two years from the date of the crash. Don’t wait until the last month to gather records you could begin collecting today.
• Police reporting and retrieval windows: HPD notes it can take several days before a report is available; TxDOT’s system delivers purchased CR-3s by email after processing. Start those requests early so you’re not scrambling near a claim deadline.

A Quick Path to Getting Organized (Houston and Nearby)

1. Start a single folder (digital or paper) for all crash-related bills, letters, and photos.
2. Request your reports: HPD (if inside the city) and TxDOT for the CR-3; if the crash was in a surrounding suburb in the greater Houston area, go straight to TxDOT’s portal while you track down the local incident number. 
3. Keep a pain and function journal—short daily notes help your medical records reflect the full picture.
4. Be careful with recorded statements until you’re certain what the insurer is asking and why. TDI’s consumer pages explain your options. 

Need Steady Help Putting the Pieces Together?

If you’re recovering from a crash in Houston or the greater Houston area and don’t want to manage evidence requests, insurer calls, and deadlines by yourself, we can step in. At JB Law Group, PLLC, we organize the records, request the Houston police accident report and Texas CR-3 crash report, and build the file you’ll need to move a claim forward. If you’re considering a demand—or you’re already getting calls about a recorded statement to insurance—reach out to us for a clear plan. Our team is here to help you apply this Houston car accident evidence checklist to your specific situation. Start a conversation with us through our contact page.