When does a crash have to be reported to the police in Texas?

When does a driver have to notify the police of a crash in Texas?

The Texas Transportation Code sets when a driver in a crash in Texas must notify the police. It says the operator of a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in injury to or the death of a person, or damage to a vehicle so that it cannot be normally and safely driven, must immediately give notice to the police or sheriff by the quickest means of communication.¹ It also says an officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a motor vehicle collision must make a written report if the collision resulted in injury or death or damage to any one person’s property of an apparent $1,000² or more. The officer’s duty reads:

A law enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a motor vehicle collision shall make a written report of the collision if the collision resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more.

When does an officer’s crash report have to be filed in Texas?

The Texas Transportation Code says the officer’s report must be filed electronically with the Texas Department of Transportation not later than 10 days² after the collision.

Duty	When it applies	Timing
Notice to police or sheriff	Injury, death, or a vehicle that cannot be normally and safely driven	Immediately
Officer’s written report	Injury or death, or damage to any one person’s property of an apparent $1,0002 or more	Filed electronically not later than 10 days2 after the collision

What the sources do not state

The sources used here do not state whether a driver must file their own written crash report, or what happens if a driver does not give notice.

Next step

The statute is published on the Texas Legislature page for the Transportation Code collision chapter. The filing lookup tool is where to look up filing details for a situation.