Have you or a loved one been in a car accident in Austin? Do you think you can file a personal injury claim? Getting a copy of your police report is an important step in this direction.
This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining your APD accident report.
Why You Need Your Accident Report
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s understand why this report is so important: •
- It provides an official record of the accident.
- Insurance companies often require it for processing claims.
- Austin police department accident report can be a critical evidence if you need to work with a personal injury attorney.
- The report contains important details that you might forget over time.
Methods to Obtain Your Report
The Austin Police Department (APD) offers three main ways to get your accident police report in Austin:
- Online
- In person
- By mail
Let’s break down each method:
Getting Your Report Online
This is often the quickest and most convenient method, but APD incident reports are no longer available on the APD’s own database. Here’re the steps you can follow to get your Austin police department accident report online:
- Visit the LexisNexis website (the APD uses this service for online reports).
- You’ll need to provide some information about your accident, like the date, location, and people involved.
- There’s a fee for downloading the report.
- Reports are available in both English and Spanish.
Obtaining Your Report in Person
If you prefer face-to-face interactions: Go to the APD’s Main Police Headquarters at 715 E 8th Street, Austin. They’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM.
You’ll need your case number for this method to obtain an APD incident report.
It’s a good idea to call 512-974-5499 first to check if your report is ready.
Requesting Your Report by Mail
If you’re not in a rush to get your police report, you can send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Austin Police Department Report Sales, P.O. Box 689001, Austin, TX 78768
You will also need to include the required fee (cash, check, or money order).
State Highway Patrol Reports
Sometimes, your accident might be handled by the State Highway Patrol instead of the APD. In this case:
- You’ll need to go through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
- Use TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System.
- You can search for and download your report for a fee on this portal.
- TxDOT keeps reports for 10 years.
Important Things to Remember
As you’re getting your APD incident report, do keep these points in mind:
- Getting your Austin police department accident report online is usually the fastest method.
- Fees may change, so check current prices before requesting.
- If you’re working with an Austin car accident attorney, they can often help you obtain the report.
- The report is a must-have for car accident claims in Austin, so don’t skip this step.
When to Seek Legal Help
While getting a report is something you can do on your own, there are times when you might want professional help:
- If you’re having trouble understanding the report.
- When you’re not sure how to use the report in your claim.
- If you’re dealing with serious injuries or complex legal issues.
In these cases, consider reaching out to an experienced Austin car accident attorney right away. They can help you navigate the process and use your accident report effectively in your claim.