Find a car wreck lawyer in Houston: your report, your tow and your deadlines

Last checked November 8, 2026

After a car wreck in Houston, buy your HPD report online through BuyCrash or by mail for $6.12 Find a towed car at 713-308-8580.3 You generally have 2 years to file an injury suit.4 If a City of Houston driver hit you, written notice is due within 90 days.5

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Road map of Houston centered on the West Loop, which a 2025 state report ranks as the most congested road in Texas
Hit by a City of Houston vehicle? Written notice is due in 90 days. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Which officer wrote the report for my Houston car wreck?

It depends on where you were. Houston's size means several agencies work crashes that all feel like "Houston" to the driver. The name on the officer's card decides where you go next.

Where it happenedWho usually respondsGood to know
City streets and freeways inside HoustonHouston PoliceHPD worked 53,902 crashes in 2025.6
Unincorporated Harris CountyHarris County Sheriff or a constableThe Sheriff's Office worked 26,110 crashes in 2025.7
Toll road between the East and Gulf FreewaysPrecinct 8 deputiesThey are first responders on those 36 miles.8 HPD says it also takes tollway calls within the city.9
Rural state highwaysDPS Highway PatrolThis is how DPS describes its traffic work.10
Minor wreck, no officer cameNobody writes a reportHPD dispatch may tell you to file at a police station.11 Keep any CR-2 you filled out, because TxDOT will not have it.12

Texas law says a driver in a wreck that hurts someone, or leaves a car unsafe to drive, must report it right away to police or the sheriff.13

How do I get a copy of my Houston crash report?

  1. Collect at least two of these: the crash date, the location, or a driver's name.14 The incident number helps too.
  2. Wait. HPD's site gives 5 to 8 days.15 Its mail form says at least 10 days, so use 10 if you are mailing.16
  3. Buy it. HPD sends online buyers to BuyCrash.1 A mailed copy is $6, or $8 certified.17 TxDOT sells regular copies for $6 plus any card fee.1819
  4. Go in person if you need a full copy. HPD sells those only in person or by mail with its H.B. 2633 form.20 The office is 1200 Travis St., 1st floor.21
  5. Stuck? Call HPD Records at 713-308-8500, option 3.22

Texas limits who can buy these reports to people directly concerned, such as someone in the crash, a vehicle owner or an insurer.23 Police who work a wreck with an injury must send the report to TxDOT within 10 days.24

My car was towed after a wreck in Houston. What now?

Call HPD's tow line at 713-308-8580 or use Findmytowedcar.com, and have your VIN or plate ready.3 Since January 1, 2026, the non-consent tow rate in Houston has been $232 for the first 20 miles, then $4.64 for each extra mile.25 Compare your bill against those numbers before you pay. Keep every receipt, because tow and storage charges can be part of a claim.

Not every breakdown leads to a bill. The free Motorist Assistance Program helps stranded drivers on Harris County area freeways, and its number is 713-225-5627.2627 The no-cost Tow and Go tow is only for a disabled car when someone is still with it as the wrecker or police arrive.28 A car left alone does not qualify.

Where do car wrecks happen most in Houston?

TxDOT counted 60,317 crashes in Houston in 2025, with 293 people killed and 1,465 seriously hurt.29 Traffic jams are part of daily life here: the 2025 state ranking again put the West Loop at the top of Texas's most congested roads.30 Yet in Harris County the deadliest road type in 2025 was the ordinary city street, with 198 deaths, compared with 134 on interstates.31

  • The city's High Injury Network covers 8.9% of streets and 58% of deaths and serious injuries.32 Check whether your crash spot is on it.
  • A city plan found 43% of deaths and serious injuries were at or related to an intersection or driveway.33
  • Speeding was a factor in 33% of Houston traffic deaths in 2022, and impaired driving in 32%.3435

What if the other Houston driver has no insurance?

It happens. The Texas Department of Insurance says more than 2.4 million registered vehicles in the state are not matched to a policy.36 We could not find an official number for Harris County alone. Drivers with a policy must carry at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per crash and $25,000 for property.37

Look at your own policy first. Texas auto policies include uninsured motorist coverage unless a named insured turned it down in writing.38 If your losses are smaller, Harris County justice courts hear civil claims up to $20,000.39

Can they blame me for a Houston car wreck?

Partly, yes. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover money.40 A jury can hear that you skipped your seat belt, but only if the defense shows it caused or worsened your injuries.41 So do not guess about fault at the scene or on a recorded call.

Road conditions are their own problem. Houston says state law means it is not liable for property damage from the condition of its streets.42 That statement covers damage to your car. If a road defect injured you, ask a Houston car wreck attorney before the 90-day city notice runs out.5 It must be signed before a notary.43

Questions

How long do I have after a car accident in Houston?

Generally 2 years to file a lawsuit.4 Claims against the city need written notice within 90 days.5 Claims against Harris County need it within 180 days.44

How much is a Houston police crash report?

$6 by mail, or $8 certified.17 TxDOT's regular copy is also $6.18

What is the most a tow can cost in Houston after a wreck?

The city's non-consent rate is $232 for the first 20 miles, then $4.64 per extra mile.25 Storage is separate.

What if nobody came to my Houston crash?

HPD may tell you to trade information and make a report at a station.11 Keep your copy of any form you fill out.12

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Houston

Car accident

Texas

Sources

  1. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “Crash Reports can be purchased online from the Texas Department of Transportation at https://buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com”
  2. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “Send a check / money order for $6.00 (made payable to the City of Houston)”
  3. Houston Police, Towed Vehicles FAQ, checked 2026-11-08. “You can call the tow line at 713-308-8580 or go to Findmytowedcar.com.”
  4. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a), checked 2026-11-08. “a person must bring suit for trespass for injury to the estate or to the property of another, conversion of personal property, taking or detaining the personal property of another, personal injury, forcible entry and detainer, and forcible detainer not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues.”
  5. City of Houston Legal Department, Filing a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “duly verified, within 90 days after the same has been sustained”
  6. TxDOT, 2025 Crashes and Injuries by Investigating Agency, checked 2026-11-08. “HOUSTON PD 264 284 1,086 1,279 4,276 5,953 12,300 18,429 33,421 97,773 2,555 18,384 53,902”
  7. TxDOT, 2025 Crashes and Injuries by Investigating Agency, checked 2026-11-08. “HARRIS COUNTY 146 150 601 695 2,456 3,464 2,650 4,007 19,520 53,604 737 4,580 26,110 SO”
  8. Harris County Constable Precinct 8, Toll Road Patrol, checked 2026-11-08. “Deputies assigned to the Precinct 8 Toll Road Patrol Division patrol 36 miles of roadway between the I-10 East Freeway and the Gulf freeway. Among their duties, Deputies provide security for toll road personnel and plazas and are first responders for all incidents that occur on the toll road.”
  9. City of Houston, HPD testimony on HB 5177, checked 2026-11-08. “Responding to calls for service on the tollway’s main lanes and feeder roads.”
  10. Texas DPS, Highway Patrol Overview, checked 2026-11-08. “responsible for general police traffic supervision, traffic, and criminal law enforcement on the rural highways of Texas”
  11. Houston Police General Order 600-09, checked 2026-11-08. “to exchange information, and to make a report at a police station”
  12. TxDOT, Crash reports and records, checked 2026-11-08. “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.”
  13. Tex. Transp. Code § 550.026(a), checked 2026-11-08. “The operator of a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of the collision”
  14. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “You must provide at least two of the following in order to obtain an accident report”
  15. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “Accident reports require 5 to 8 days processing time before they are available to the public.”
  16. Houston Police, Crash Report Request Form, checked 2026-11-08. “should not be submitted until at least 10 days after the crash date to allow time for receipt of the report”
  17. Houston Police, Crash Report Request Form, checked 2026-11-08. “($6.00 for Non-Certified Crash Report) or ($8.00 for Certified Crash Report)”
  18. TxDOT, Crash reports and records, checked 2026-11-08. “$6 for a regular copy.”
  19. TxDOT, Crash reports and records, checked 2026-11-08. “Additional processing fees may be applied for credit card transactions.”
  20. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “Full copies can only be purchased in person or via mail with the accompanying H.B. 2633 form”
  21. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “In person at the Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis St. Houston, Texas 77002 on the 1st floor.”
  22. Houston Police, Public Information Requests, checked 2026-11-08. “Accident reports are handled by the Records Division, 713.308.8500 - Option 3.”
  23. TxDOT, Crash reports and records, checked 2026-11-08. “Any person involved in the accident”
  24. TxDOT, Crash reports and records, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than the tenth day after the date of the crash”
  25. Houston Police, Motorist Bill of Rights, checked 2026-11-08. “non-consent regulated tow rate, effective Jan. 1, 2026, is $232.00”
  26. Houston TranStar, Motorist Assistance Program, checked 2026-11-08. “free program designed to assist stranded motorists on all Harris County area freeways”
  27. Houston TranStar, Motorist Assistance Program, checked 2026-11-08. “Dial 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627)”
  28. Houston Police, Towed Vehicles FAQ, checked 2026-11-08. “The no cost tow under the TOW AND GO program is only for vehicles that are disabled and has someone with the vehicle when the wrecker or police arrive.”
  29. TxDOT, 2025 Crashes and Injuries Cities and Towns, checked 2026-11-08. “HOUSTON 273 293 1,249 1,465 5,173 7,285 12,649 19,059 38,296 112,109 2,677 19,011 60,317”
  30. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, 2025 Texas Top 100 Congested Road Segments, checked 2026-11-08. “The West Loop (Interstate [I] 610) in Houston is at the top of the list again this year.”
  31. TxDOT, 2025 Fatal Crashes and Fatalities by County and Road Type, checked 2026-11-08. “Harris 125 134 56 58 24 25 67 69 186 198 19 19 0 0 0 0 477 503”
  32. City of Houston, High Injury Network layer information, checked 2026-11-08. “represents 8.9% of Houston streets which account for 58% of traffic deaths and serious injuries”
  33. City of Houston, Vision Zero Action Plan, checked 2026-11-08. “43% of traffic deaths and serious injuries are at or related to an intersection or driveway”
  34. City of Houston, Vision Zero Annual Report 2022, checked 2026-11-08. “Speeding 34% 33% 33% 37%”
  35. City of Houston, Vision Zero Annual Report 2022, checked 2026-11-08. “Impaired 28% 32% 14% 10%”
  36. Texas Department of Insurance, Uninsured motorist coverage, checked 2026-11-08. “More than 2.4 million state-registered vehicles are not matched to an insurance policy.”
  37. Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072(a-1), checked 2026-11-08. “(1) $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one collision; (2) $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one collision, subject to the amount provided by Subdivision (1) for bodily injury to or death of one of the persons; and (3) $25,000 for damage to or destruction of property of others in one collision.”
  38. Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.101(b)-(c), checked 2026-11-08. “unless the insurer provides uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in the policy or supplemental to the policy. (c) The coverage required by this subchapter does not apply if any insured named in the insurance policy rejects the coverage in writing.”
  39. Harris County Justice Courts, About, checked 2026-11-08. “Justice Courts have jurisdiction of civil matters in which the amount in controversy is no more than $20,000”
  40. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-08. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent.”
  41. Nabors Well Servs., Ltd. v. Romero, No. 13-0136 (Tex. Feb. 13, 2015), checked 2026-11-08. “Today we overrule it and hold that relevant evidence of use or nonuse of seat belts is admissible for the purpose of apportioning responsibility in civil lawsuits. [...] The defendant can establish the relevance of seat-belt nonuse only with evidence that nonuse caused or contributed to cause the plaintiff’s injuries.”
  42. City of Houston Legal Department, Filing a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Under State law, the City is not liable for property damage caused by the condition of its streets.”
  43. City of Houston Legal Department, Filing a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “in writing and sign the letter before a Notary Public”
  44. Harris County, Claim Filing Procedures, checked 2026-11-08. “Written notice of your claim must be mailed or delivered in person within 180 days of the occurrence to: Harris County Commissioners Court 1001 Preston, Room 610 Houston, Texas 77002”

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