Crash Policy

OFFICIAL CRASH INVESTIGATION CRITERIA

The White Settlement Police Department furnishes a Crash Courtesy Form as a service when responding to crashes that do not meet the requirements for mandatory reporting or during incidents that involve a hit and run crash. The department only investigates and reports official crash reports to the Texas Department of Transportation in the following cases:

Crashes with a reported injury or death.
Hit and run crashes, when reported within 24-hours and other criteria are met.
Crashes involving suspected impairment of an operator due to alcohol and/or drugs.
Crashes that result in damage to property of the City of White Settlement or any other governmental entity.
Crashes involving hazardous materials.
Crashes that occurred during a police vehicle chase.
Crashes involving damages to the extent that towing is required or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more.

The department does NOT investigate crashes that occur on parking lots where a fee is charged or residential, apartment, hotel, and motel parking areas. An offense report may be taken in these areas if a Penal Code criminal offense has occurred.

AM I REQUIRED TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION WITH THE OTHER DRIVER?

Yes, Texas Transportation Code 550.023 requires operators involved in a collision to provide their name, address, registration information, and insurance information. Upon request, your driver's license information must be provided.

IMPORTANT WARNING: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

As of April 14, 2025, it is the policy of the White Settlement Police Department to IMPOUND/TOW vehicles involved in a crash when the operator cannot produce evidence of valid financial responsibility and issue a citation for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility when satisfactory evidence exists that violates Section 601.292 of the Texas Transportation Code of the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act.

IMPORTANT WARNING: OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH NO DRIVER'S LICENSE

As of April 14, 2025, it is the policy of the White Settlement Police Department to TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION against operators of motor vehicles involved in a crash that do not have a valid driver's license. Enforcement action includes, but is not limited to, issuing appropriate citations for driver's license violations, arresting a driver in egregious cases where probable cause for arrest is established, subjecting the operator to the requirement of parking the vehicle in a safe place off the roadway while waiting for a valid licensed driver to operate the vehicle, or towing of the vehicle if it cannot be safely operated with a licensed driver.

IMPORTANT WARNING: CAUSATIVE FACTORS ENFORCEMENT

As of April 14, 2025, it is the policy of the White Settlement Police Department to TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION when a violation is discovered during a crash response and/or investigation. This includes our police officers attempting to determine the causative factor(s) present that may have contributed to the crash, whether classified as a minor or major crash. If the officer determines that a factor existed which is deemed to be a violation of the law, the officer may issue a citation to the violator based upon sufficient evidence, witness statements, and other factors that establish probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.

HIT AND RUN CRASH CRITERIA FOR INVESTIGATION

Hit and run crashes must be reported with 24-hours of discovery and meet at least one of the following criteria:

Injury or death.
Crash involving city property, vehicles or facilities.
Crash occurred during a police vehicle chase.
Vehicles are damaged to the extent that towing is required or damage to the property of any one person to the apparent extent of $1,000 or more.
There is viable suspect follow-up information for detectives.

HOW DOES A HIT AND RUN CRASH GET INVESTIGATED?

If a hit and run crash does meet the reportable requirements, you must submit a written estimate to repair the damages sustained in the crash. Investigators will not work your case until the written estimate is received at investigator@wspd.us. The case will be reviewed for solvability factors for viable leads. Providing a written estimate does not guarantee that your case will be solved or that the suspect will be properly identified.

HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF AN OFFICIAL CRASH REPORT?

If a police officer made an official report (CR-3) based upon our department's reporting requirements, you may be able to obtain a copy under Transportation Code 550.065 within 10 days of reporting through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which serves as the official custodian of crash records for the state of Texas. The Crash Report Online Purchase System may be accessed through the TxDOT website. The White Settlement Police Department participates in a digital CRASH system maintained by the TxDOT which affords access to the state's online crash report purchase system. Motorists can also request a copy at the White Settlement Police Department during normal business hours by visiting the Records Unit located at 8900 Clifford Street.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A CRASH REPORT WAS NOT MADE BY THE OFFICER?

If the police officer did not make an official report based upon reporting requirements, the call sheet number provided to you serves as the official notification that the department responded to the crash. No additional information is required. Please contact your insurance company directly. TxDOT no longer accepts the Blue Form (CR-2 Accident Report) as of September 1, 2017.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE OTHER DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE OR PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY?

The police officer may issue a citation for failure to maintain financial responsibility to the other driver and impound their vehicle for not providing proof of financial responsibility. You would need to still contact your insurance company and provide them with this information to determine if your policy covers an incident with an uninsured driver.

HOW CAN I SETTLE A CRASH WITH THE OTHER DRIVER?

From a civil standpoint, there are three possible methods of settling damages from a motor vehicle crash.

The drivers can make their own decisions and agreements as to which driver will be responsible for civil damages.
The drivers can make their own reports to their insurance companies and have the insurance companies investigate the collision.
A civil suit can be filed for damages in a court of proper jurisdiction. Consult with an attorney for this option. Police officers can testify as witnesses when served with a proper subpoena from the appropriate court.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CRASH SCENE AND DAMAGES?

Yes, photographs may be taken of the scene and vehicles involved to properly document damages. Please be mindful that crash scenes in roadways can still present dangers from uninvolved motorists and other hazards, so ensure that you are not placing yourself in danger by walking in active roadways or near other hazards presented by the damaged vehicles.

IF MY CAR WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE, WHAT DO I NEED TO GET IT OUT OF THE IMPOUND?

The department utilizes A-1 Wrecker Service located at 3032 Ramona Drive in Fort Worth (817) 244-0043. You will need to show that you are the registered owner and have insurance on the vehicle that was towed once any applicable fees are paid to A-1 Wrecker Services.

IF I RECEIVED A CITATION, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?

If your citation was issued in the City of White Settlement, please contact the Municipal Court at 817-246-4971 and follow the instructions on the reverse side of the citation copies that you received. If your citation was issued outside of the City of White Settlement, please contact the Tarrant County Justice Court in Precinct #4 at 817-238-4425.