Section 16: Crash/Judgment

A crash case is the result of the Department receiving notice that an individual was involved in a crash that resulted in a death, an injury, or property damages of at least $1000. If a crash case is filed, the at-fault driver is subject to a driver license suspension.

A judgment is the result of a court submitting to DPS, a certified copy of an unsatisfied judgment due to a crash. In this instance, the individual with whom the judgment is rendered against is subject to a driver license suspension.

2. Why is this crash on my record if I was not the party at fault?

If a police report is filed, the crash will appear on every person's record that was involved in the crash regardless of fault.

3. How do I find out the status of a crash case submitted?

To obtain the status of a crash case, an SR-106 along with a $7 check or money order must be mailed to the department.

4. I own the vehicle that was involved in the crash but I was not the driver of the vehicle during the crash. How can the other party file a judgment against me?

Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601.152 allows the party at loss to file a judgment against the owner of the vehicle even if the owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

5. I was not involved in this crash. Why is it listed on my record?

6. Am I eligible to request a hearing for a crash case?

Yes. However, in order for the hearing to be granted it must be requested within 20 days of the date of notice submitted to you by the Department. A hearing can be requested online or by fax, email or mail.

• Fax: (512) 424-2501
• Email: Hearings
• Mail: Texas Department of Public Safety
  ATTN: ECS
  PO Box 4087
  Austin, TX 78773

7. What do I need to submit to comply with a crash case?

You can submit any of the following options to comply with a crash case:

• A notarized Release (SR-11) signed by the party at loss
• A notarized Installment Agreement (SR-19) signed by both parties
• A security deposit for the full amount of crash damages listed in the order of suspension
• Evidence of a settlement in the form of cancelled checks or money orders totaling the amount of damages listed on the original suspension notice
• A copy of an insurance policy or letter signed by an insurance agent on insurance company letterhead demonstrating a coverage period including the crash date with no lapse in coverage. The policy or letter must specifically state that you were covered to drive the vehicle involved in the crash
• An application for reinstatement of driver license and registration under the Safety Responsibility Act (SR-60), provided two (2) years have elapsed since the date of the crash or the date of the default (if the crash case is in default) and no judgment has been filed

Visit the Reinstating Your Driver License page, to find ways to submit your compliance.

NOTE: A reinstatement fee of $100 will be owed if the license was suspended prior to the crash case being cleared. Visit the Reinstating Your Driver License page, to find ways to pay your reinstatement fee.

8. More than 10 years have passed since the judgment suspension was placed on my record. What can I do to get this lifted?

To have the enforcement lifted you can submit an Affidavit of Dormant Judgment (SR-88), also known as a Certification of no Execution on Dormant Judgment. However, if the judgment is not satisfied, the party that filed the judgment has the ability to renew it for an additional 10 years.

9. Am I eligible to request a hearing for a pending judgment suspension?

No, the final decision has already been made by the court.

10. If the other party I filed against defaults on the payment arrangements we agreed upon in the original installment agreement, is there a way to re-suspend their license?

Yes. If no more than two (2) years have elapsed since the date that the last payment was due, you may submit a copy of the original installment agreement along with a Notice of Default on Installment Agreement (SR-73) to the department for the license of the at-fault driver to be suspended.

11. How do I build a crash case against someone?

To build a crash case against someone, you must submit the following information to DPS:

1. Proof of $1000 or more in damages, which may include vehicle damages and medical bills for bodily injury
2. A peace officer's crash report showing the uninsured driver as the party at fault or a driver confidential crash report (CR2) with statements from two uninvolved witnesses
3. If applicable, a denial letter from the at-fault driver's insurance company showing that they were not covered at the time of the crash

Documents must be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Fax: (512) 424-2848
• Email: Driver Improvement
• Mail: Texas Department of Public Safety
  ATTN: ECS
  PO Box 4087
  Austin, TX 78773

NOTE: For ECS to initiate a crash suspension, the crash must have occurred on a public street or highway, or private property that is open to public access.

12. Where can I get a copy of an accident report?

For accident reports, please contact the Department of Transportation Crash Records Section or call (800) 558-9368.

13. I still cannot find the answer to my question, what do I do?

If you do not find the answer to your question listed here within our FAQ's, you can always contact our Customer Service Center for assistance.

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