"Commercial vehicle accident report" can mean several different documents. Here is what each one is, who fills it in and how to get it.
| Report | Who completes it | Who can get it |
|---|---|---|
| CR-3: Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report | The investigating law enforcement officer | People involved and others with a direct interest, through TxDOT |
| Carrier's internal accident report | The truck driver and the trucking company | The company and its insurer; others usually only through litigation |
| DOT accident register entry | The trucking company | FMCSA and other authorized officials |
| Post-accident drug and alcohol test records | The carrier's testing program | Restricted; disclosed in specific situations |
| Insurance claim forms and adjuster reports | Each insurer | The insurer; your own insurer will share your file with you |
The CR-3 crash report
When an officer investigates a crash, they record it on the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (form CR-3) and submit it to TxDOT. For a commercial vehicle, the report records the carrier's name and USDOT number, the vehicle's weight rating and configuration, any hazardous materials and whether it was a commercial motor vehicle. It also includes the officer's diagram, narrative, contributing factors and witness details.
CR-3 reports are sold through TxDOT's online system for $6, or $8 for a certified copy. Use the crash report finder, or read how to get your crash report.
The trucking company's internal report
Most carriers give drivers an accident kit: a report form, a checklist and witness cards. The driver completes it at the scene or soon after, and the safety department and insurer may add their own investigation. These documents aren't public. In a lawsuit, they can be requested in discovery, although some may be protected.
The DOT accident register
Federal rules require carriers to record every crash that meets the DOT definition of an accident in an accident register. Each entry records the date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazmat release, along with copies of required government and insurer reports. Carriers keep it for 3 years.
FMCSA crash records
States also report qualifying commercial vehicle crashes to FMCSA. Summaries appear in the carrier's public record, which you can see in the trucking company safety lookup.
If you're a driver or fleet manager
For the driver's duties at the scene and the testing rules, see what truck drivers must do after a crash and post-accident drug and alcohol testing.