Houston
Car accident in Houston: police and sheriff crash reports, the Harris County District Clerk and major highways
The short answer
After a car crash in Houston, the crash report can be requested from the agency that responded, such as the Houston Police Department, whose Records Division at 1200 Travis takes requests by mail, or bought through TxDOT's online CRIS system. Harris County's civil district courts are in the Civil Courthouse at 201 Caroline, where the Harris County District Clerk lists its Civil Intake, and Texas law sets rules for reporting a crash and for getting a copy of the report, listed below with their sources. InjuryClaimGuide is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Key facts, as of October 22, 2026
- Texas law requires a driver in a collision that causes an injury, a death, or damage leaving a vehicle unable to be driven normally and safely to notify the local police department right away when the collision is inside a city. Source: Tex. Transp. Code §550.026
- An officer who investigates a collision with an injury, a death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to one person must file a written report with TxDOT within 10 days. Source: Tex. Transp. Code §550.062
- Texas law sets the fee for a copy of a collision report at $6, plus $2 for a certified copy. Source: Tex. Transp. Code §550.065(d)
- Texas generally sets a two-year limitations period for personal-injury lawsuits, counted from the day the cause of action accrues, with exceptions set by statute. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003
Whether it's a fender-bender or a serious collision, the days after a car accident can feel disorienting. Below is a plain-language overview of what people commonly do and consider.
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Getting the crash report
County district clerk
- Harris County District Clerk · Website: https://www.hcdistrictclerk.com/
- Civil filings: Civil Intake, Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, 1st Floor, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77002 Source
- Courthouse: Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, Houston, TX 77002 Source
Major highways
Texas injury tools
Which agency does Texas law say to notify after a crash in Houston?
- Texas law says the operator of a vehicle in a collision that results in injury to or death of a person, or in damage that leaves a vehicle unable to be normally and safely driven, must immediately give notice of the collision: to the local police department if the collision occurred in a city; to the local police department or the sheriff's office if it occurred not more than 100 feet outside city limits; and otherwise to the sheriff's office or the nearest Texas Department of Public Safety office. Source: Tex. Transp. Code §550.026(a)
- The Houston Police Department's reporting page says to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 713-884-3131 for any other situation that requires the response of a police officer. Source: Houston Police Department, Online Reporting
How can a copy of a Houston police crash report be requested?
- The Houston Police Department says a crash-report request must give at least two of the date of the crash, its location and the names of the drivers or parties involved, and that crash reports can be bought online through the Texas Department of Transportation, where the H.B. 2633 requirements are met by questionnaire, requested by mail with a $6.00 check or money order payable to the City of Houston, a self-addressed stamped envelope and the completed H.B. 2633 form sent to HPD, Records Division, 1200 Travis, Houston, TX 77002, or requested in person at 1200 Travis on the first floor. Source: Houston Police Department, Public Information
What is the Texas deadline to file a personal-injury lawsuit?
- Texas law says a person must bring suit for personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues, except as provided by Sections 16.010, 16.0031 and 16.0045; the same two-year rule applies to an action for injury resulting in death, which accrues on the death of the injured person. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003
What notice does the City of Houston's charter require for an injury claim against the city?
- The City of Houston's charter, quoted on the city Legal Department's claims page, says that before the city is liable for damages for personal injuries, the injured person or someone on that person's behalf must give the mayor and city council written, verified notice within 90 days after the injury was sustained, stating the details the charter lists, including when, where and how the injury occurred and the names and addresses of witnesses; the charter says a failure to give that notice in the time and manner specified exempts the city from liability, and the page says to sign the letter before a notary public and mail it to the City Secretary's Office, with a copy to the City Attorney's Office, Claims/Subrogation Section. Source: City of Houston Legal Department, Filing a Claim
- Texas law ratifies and approves a city's charter and ordinance provisions requiring notice within a charter period permitted by law, and says those notice requirements do not apply if the governmental unit has actual notice that death has occurred, that the claimant has received some injury, or that the claimant's property has been damaged. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §101.101(b)-(c)