How to Get a Police Report in San Antonio After an Accident

The Texas Department of Transportation maintains the Crash Records Information System (CRIS) at cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase. This is the fastest way to get a copy of any Texas crash report, including San Antonio SAPD reports. The system is available 24/7.

To search for your report, you will need at least one of the following: the crash ID number (listed on any paperwork the officer gave you at the scene), your full name as it appears on the report, your driver's license number, a vehicle identification number (VIN), or a license plate number. You can also search by date and location of the crash.

Once you locate your report, pay the $6 fee by credit card and download the PDF immediately. The report includes the officer's narrative, a crash diagram, the names and insurance information of all involved parties, witness contact information, contributing factors, and any citations issued. If your crash was very recent (fewer than 7 to 10 business days), the report may not yet be in the system — check back in a few days.

The San Antonio Police Department Records Office is located at 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: (210) 207-7598. Bring a valid photo ID and any information you have about the crash — the date, location, case number, or names of the people involved.

The fee is $6 per report. Payment methods accepted include cash and money order. You will receive a copy of the CR-3 crash report, which is the official Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report form. If the report is not yet available, the Records Office staff can tell you the estimated processing time.

If the crash was investigated by a different agency — the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS, or another jurisdiction — you will need to contact that agency directly. The SAPD Records Office only has reports for crashes investigated by San Antonio Police Department officers.

Download the SAPD Police Report Request Form from the City of San Antonio website at sa.gov. Fill out the form completely, including the date and location of the crash, the case or report number (if known), and your contact information. Mail the completed form along with a money order for $6 payable to the City of San Antonio and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: San Antonio Police Department Records Office, 315 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207.

Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing and delivery by mail. This is the slowest option but works if you cannot visit in person or access the online system. If you need the report urgently for an insurance deadline or legal filing, use the TxDOT CRIS online option instead.

Texas law (Tex. Transp. Code § 550.062) requires law enforcement to investigate and file a crash report (CR-3 form) for any collision involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. If officers responded to your crash, a CR-3 will be filed automatically.

If no officer investigated your crash — which can happen with minor fender-benders or when police are unable to respond — and the crash involved injury or damage appearing to exceed $1,000, you should file a report yourself. Contact the SAPD non-emergency line at (210) 207-7273 to report the crash after the fact. You may also need to self-report to your insurance company.

Having an official crash report on file significantly strengthens your ability to pursue a personal injury or property damage claim. Without a police report, you will need to rely on other evidence — photographs, witness statements, medical records, and repair estimates — to document what happened.

The CR-3 Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report contains several sections. The header identifies the crash by number, date, time, and location. The vehicle section lists each vehicle involved along with the driver's name, address, driver's license number, insurance information, and vehicle description (year, make, model, VIN, plate number).

The narrative section is the officer's written account of how the crash occurred based on the investigation. This narrative is often the most important part of the report for your personal injury claim because it describes who did what and may assign contributing factors. Contributing factors are coded — common codes include 'failed to yield right of way,' 'followed too closely,' 'driver inattention,' and 'changed lane when unsafe.'

The diagram section shows the physical layout of the crash scene, including the direction of travel, point of impact, and final resting positions of the vehicles. The injury section lists each person injured and the severity of their injuries as assessed at the scene. Review your report carefully — if any information is incorrect (your name, vehicle, or description of events), note the errors. Your attorney can address discrepancies when presenting your claim.

Your San Antonio crash report is the foundation of your personal injury case. Insurance adjusters review it to determine fault and assess the initial value of your claim. The officer's narrative and contributing factors carry significant weight in settlement negotiations and at trial. If the report identifies the other driver as at fault, it strengthens your position. If the report is ambiguous or assigns partial fault to you, your claim may still be viable — Texas allows recovery as long as you are 50% or less at fault (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001).

Your crash report also documents the time, date, and location of the crash — essential for establishing that your claim is within the 2-year statute of limitations (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). It lists witness names and contact information that may otherwise be lost. It confirms whether anyone was cited, which can serve as evidence of negligence. Get your report early and share it with your attorney.

If you have been injured in a San Antonio car accident and you have your crash report, take our free 2-minute assessment. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Texas's filing deadline for your specific claim, whether the crash report supports your case, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Your crash report is the starting point — understanding your legal options is the next step. Our assessment is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to decide what comes next.