UPDATE: As of 2017, TxDOT no longer accepts the Blue Form (CR-2 Accident Report). Contact us 24/7 if you have questions about what to do instead (free, no obligation).
Effective Sept. 1, 2017, per the 85th Texas Legislature Senate Bill 312, the Driver’s Crash Report (Form CR-2) is no longer retained by TxDOT. As of Jan. 1, 2019, the retention period expired for all CR-2 forms. As a result, TxDOT no longer has any Driver’s Crash Reports in its custodial records and no longer hosts or provides copies of the CR-2 form. Drivers involved in a crash not investigated by a police officer who were provided a CR-2 or similar local agency form should retain this information for their records. Please note that any CR-2 or similar local agency form submitted to TxDOT will be destroyed as required by our records retention policy.
–TxDOT
Filing a Police Report Because You Were Hurt in an Accident in Texas?
If you were hurt in an accident and need to file a police report, remember that this report will be used for insurance claims and any legal proceedings related to the incident. It can be difficult to know what information you should (or shouldn’t) provide. We can walk you through it and help you file it for 100% free (with absolutely no obligation). Simply tell us your contact info here and we’ll reach out to you. Keep in mind that there’s a 10-day deadline to report it.
What Is a CR-2 Form / Blue Form Accident Report in Texas?
The CR-2 Form, commonly referred to as the “Blue Form Accident Report” or “DPS Blue Form,” was a standardized accident report form previously used by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to document motor vehicle accidents. This officially discontinued form played a role in the traffic accident reporting system in Texas, helping collect and maintain official crash data about vehicle accidents across the state. The form’s distinctive blue color gave it the informal name it is widely known by.
Before September 1, 2017, the CR-2 Blue Form was often used by law enforcement, insurance companies, and accident victims to provide incident documentation. The data collected through this driver-completed, self-reported form was frequently used for insurance claims, crash investigations, and the analysis of traffic incidents.
What Does TxDOT Do for Crash Reports & Records?
According to TxDOT, beginning on 9/1/2017, “Texas Transportation Code §550.062 requires any law enforcement officer who in the regular course of duty investigates a motor vehicle crash that results 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, to submit a written report of that crash to TxDOT not later than the tenth day after the date of the crash.
TxDOT collects crash reports from Texas law enforcement agencies for crashes occurring on public roadways and the state highway system. The state retention schedule for crash reports and data is 10 years plus the current year. Data analysis for years outside this retention period is unavailable. However, published annual reports may be available for years outside the retention period.”
You may have come across this page from TxDOT when searching for how to file an accident report in Texas. However, that page is specifically for law enforcement officials (ex. police and sheriffs) about how to file accident reports in Texas. For example, it links to the PDF version of form CR-3 (the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report). As the page notes, The CR-3 and CR-3 Alternate forms are only to be used by Texas law enforcement agencies.
If you were injured in an accident, contact us for a 100% free consultation.
How Long Does TxDOT Keep Crash Records?
If you’re looking for your Texas crash report, know that TxDOT has a 10-year retention policy for crash reports.
Accidents happen, and when they do, it’s essential to know the proper steps to take to document the incident properly. In Austin, Texas, the CR-2 (Blue Form) was a historical form that previously helped create a driver crash report. Understanding how to fill out a CR-2 form and when it was often necessary could help ensure an accident was documented properly.
How to Fill Out a Texas Blue Form Crash Accident Report
Prior to 9/1/2017, filling out the CR-2 (Blue Form) in Texas after you were in a motor vehicle accident involved several steps. To get the most accurate picture of what happened during the accident, it was best to fill out all the sections outlined below with as many details as possible:
- Gather Information: Collect relevant information, including names, insurance details, and any witness information. Take note of the accident’s location and date.
- Describe the Accident: Provide a basic description of how the accident occurred, including the sequence of events leading up to the collision.
- Vehicle Information: Include details about the vehicles involved, such as make, model, year, and license plate numbers.
- Injuries and Damages: Note any injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident and describe the extent of property damage.
- Diagram the Accident: While the form provides a spot to diagram the crash scene, we generally advise against doing so. An accident diagram can be difficult to draw accurately, and inaccuracies might be used by insurance companies to challenge a claim.
- Sign and Date: Ensure that all parties involved in the accident sign and date the form to acknowledge its accuracy.
- Submit Form: Keep a copy for your records and provide the information to relevant authorities within the 10-day filing deadline. If you’ve been injured, contact us and we’ll help you, 100% free.
If you were in an accident in Texas, you may have used this legacy document to create a driver crash report. This form served as a vital tool in reporting motor vehicle accidents by creating a driver crash report. Understanding how to fill out a CR-2 Blue Form when it was necessary could help make sure your accident was being reported properly. If you have been injured in an accident, our Austin car accident attorneys at Sandoval & James are here to give you a free consultation (contact us). We work on a contingency fee basis with no win no fee structure.
Do You Have to File a Police Report for a Car Accident in Texas?
Prior to 9/1/2017, the short answer was yes, you were required to file a police report in Texas after you had been in a car accident if any of the conditions mentioned below applied to your accident.
Local authorities had you fill out a Texas Blue Form (CR-2 Accident Form) when:
- There were injuries or fatalities involving injury or death.
- Property damage appeared to exceed the $1,000 damage threshold.
- A driver did not have insurance coverage as required by Texas law.
- When requested by law enforcement officers at the scene.
Who needed to fill out the CR-2 crash report form? Law enforcement at the scene of an accident will fill out a CR-3 form – also called a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report. However, if they were not present or if you were involved in a minor accident, they may have given you a CR-2 form to fill out yourself. If you are trying recover an auto accident concussion settlement or any other car accident injury settlement it will be essentially for a police accident report to have been filed.
What Information is Included on the CR-2 Form in Texas?
When filling out a Texas CR-2 accident reporting form, you needed to be able to provide a wide range of information, including:
- Driver information and passenger details
- Vehicle information
- Insurance details
- Accident documentation and injury report details
- Diagram of the accident scene
What Was The Blue Form Used For in Texas?
The primary purpose of the Blue Form was to gather detailed information about motor vehicle accidents. It helped law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, Austin car crash attorneys, and other stakeholders in understanding the circumstances surrounding an accident. This data was then used for statistical analysis, research, and traffic safety improvement initiatives.
Contact A Car Accident Lawyer Near You If You Have More Questions About CR-2 Forms
Filing a CR-2 (Blue Form) accident crash report in Austin, Texas was crucial when you were involved in a motor vehicle accident prior to 9/1/2017 that meets specific criteria. By following the steps outlined above, you were able to ensure that the necessary information was accurately documented, helping to streamline your accident claim process. If you have been in a car accident or are just looking for advice or more information from an Austin personal injury lawyer near you on what to do next, contact our office at Sandoval & James Car Accident & Injury Attorneys in Austin online or call (512) 382-7707.
As well, see our comprehensive guides on:
- How to Get Bastrop County Sheriff Accident Reports
- How to Get Burnet County Police Reports
- How to Get a Caldwell County Accident Report
- How to Get Leander Police Reports
- How to Get a Pflugerville Accident Report
- How to Get a Taylor TX Police Report
- How to Get Your Killeen Police Accident Report Online
- How to Get Your Elgin Police Accident Report Online
- How to Get Elgin Police Accident Reports
- How to Get Bastrop, TX Accident Reports
- How to Get Copperas Cove Accident Reports
- How to Get Belton, TX Police Reports
- Best Way To Get Milam County Accident Reports Online in Texas
We have prepared this article to provide information to our readers. It should not be considered as legal advice. Cost of fees is subject to change without notice (contact the relevant entity for updated pricing).