TxDOT Form CR-3 Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report Code & Contributing Factor Decoder
Governing Texas Statutory Formula: Tex. Transp. Code § 550.062
Interactive lookup tool decoding every numeric code on a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (Form CR-3): Investigating Officer Contributing Factor Codes (1 through 78), Injury Severity Codes (K, A, B, C, N, 99), Vehicle Damage Rating Scales (FD, BD, LP, RP, VX), and Citation/Charge boxes.
Interactive TxDOT CR-3 Crash Report Decoder
How to Read Boxes 36, 37, and the KABCO Injury Codes on a Texas CR-3 Report
Every Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (Form CR-3, revised by TxDOT) assigns each involved vehicle a 'Unit Number' (Unit 1, Unit 2, etc.). The single most important liability section on page 2 of the CR-3 is Box 36 ('Contributing Factors — Investigator's Opinion'), which is divided into 'Contributing' (primary causes) and 'May Have Contributed' (secondary causes). If the investigating police officer enters Code 22 ('Failed to Control Speed') or Code 20 ('Driver Inattention') for Unit 1, and leaves Unit 2 blank, insurance adjusters treat that numeric code as the baseline fault determination.
Equally important is the KABCO injury severity code next to each occupant's name on page 1: K = Suspected Fatal Injury; A = Suspected Serious/Incapacitating Injury; B = Suspected Minor/Visible Injury; C = Possible Injury (complaint of pain without visible bleeding); and N = Not Injured. Even if your CR-3 lists 'N' or 'C' at the scene because adrenaline masked a herniated disc, prompt emergency or orthopedic evaluation within 24–72 hours documents causation.
Frequently Asked Questions Under Texas Law
What is the difference between Code 22 ('Failed to Control Speed') and Code 60 ('Unsafe Speed') or Code 61 ('Speeding — Over Limit') on a Texas CR-3?
On a Texas CR-3, Code 22 ('Failed to Control Speed' under Transp. Code § 545.351) is used for rear-end collisions where a driver failed to slow down in time to avoid striking traffic ahead, even if they were driving below the posted speed limit! Code 61 means driving above the posted numeric speed limit, while Code 60 means driving too fast for rain, fog, or traffic conditions.
Can a wrong contributing-factor code on a Texas CR-3 be amended or challenged in court?
Yes. If you provide the investigating officer or supervisor with dashcam video, EDR black-box data, or independent witness statements proving the other driver ran a red light or changed lanes unsafely, the officer can file a 'CR-3 Supplement' with TxDOT amending Box 36.
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