Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550: Duty to Stop and Render Aid & TxDOT CR-3 Crash Reports
Summary of the Texas Rule (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.021–550.065)
Governs mandatory duties at the scene of a Texas collision, criminal penalties for hit-and-run, the 10-day filing rule for Peace Officer's Crash Reports (Form CR-3), and admissibility of CR-3 conclusions in civil trials.
Statutory Text Summary & Legal Mechanics
Sections 550.021–550.023 mandate that a driver involved in an injury or fatal crash immediately stop, remain at the scene, provide insurance/registration information, and render reasonable assistance (including transporting or making arrangements for transporting an injured person to a physician or hospital). Section 550.062 requires a peace officer who investigates a crash resulting in injury, death, or $1,000+ in property damage to file a written CR-3 report with TxDOT within 10 days.
Practical Impact on Texas Personal Injury Claims & Jury Trials
Admissibility of the CR-3 in Texas Courts: Under Texas Rule of Evidence 803(8) (Public Records Exception), the investigating officer's factual measurements, diagram, and contributing-factor codes on a certified TxDOT CR-3 report are generally admissible unless the opponent demonstrates lack of trustworthiness—though non-expert officers' speculative causation opinions may be redacted if the officer was not accident-reconstruction certified.
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