A Comprehensive Guide for How to Remove an Accident from Your Driving Record
If you have been involved in a car accident in Texas, you may be concerned about how your driving record will impact your insurance rates and future opportunities.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we understand firsthand how stressful this situation can be.
While you cannot remove all car and truck accidents from your record, several strategies and options are available if you want to know how to clean up your driving record in Texas.
We’re here to help you understand the impact of car accidents on your record and how to remove an accident from your driving record with time.
Understanding Your Texas Driving Record
Your Texas driving record is maintained by the Lonestar State’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). It contains a detailed history of any incidents that have occurred while driving, such as accidents, traffic violations, and any tickets you’ve received.
Your Texas driving record is dynamic, always changing over time. Some incidents may stay on your driving record for a varyingly long time, while others may naturally drop off after a designated period.
While removing an accident from your driving record in Texas can be a challenging process, it is not impossible. Generally speaking, car accidents cannot be removed unless there are legitimate errors in the report.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on a Driving Record in Texas?
So, do accident records go away?
Most car accidents are automatically dropped from your Texas driving record and insurance policy after 3-5 years.
However, this timeline can vary a lot depending on the severity of the car or truck accident and whether you were at fault. More serious violations, including reckless driving, may remain on your record for up to 7 years. A car accident resulting in severe injury or death will stay on your driving record for up to 10 years.
How to Remove an Accident from Your Driving Record
While it can be extremely challenging to remove an accident from your driving record, there’s several methods you can try.
If the car accident report has incorrect information or you were not at fault, you can contact the DMV and petition for removal by providing proper documentation. You must include valuable evidence that proves you weren’t responsible for the car accident or that the incident was incorrectly recorded.
A qualified personal injury attorney can guide your way through these highly complex car accident removal cases. They will help gather necessary documentation, file appropriate paperwork, identify any errors or inconsistencies in the record that might support removal, and advocate on your behalf with Texas state authorities.
Your Driving Record’s Impact on Car Insurance Rates
Unfortunately, car accidents do tend to raise your insurance premiums.
Therefore, removing a car accident from your Texas driving record can potentially lower your insurance rates.
Your insurance companies should regularly review your driving record when calculating premiums. A cleaner record typically results in lower rates.
Steps to Take to Remove an Accident from Your Driving Record
If you choose to pursue a case to remove a car accident from your driving record, several steps are typically involved.
- Obtain a valid copy of your driving record from the DMV to verify the information.
- Gather all relevant documentation about the accident, including police reports, insurance claims, and any court records.
- Connect with a personal injury lawyer to help build your case for removal.
Car Accident Prevention Strategies
Working to remove existing car accidents from your driving record is a worthwhile cause.
However, it is arguably even more important to learn to prevent future incidents.
This includes maintaining safe driving habits, staying current with traffic laws, and addressing any citations or violations promptly to keep your driving record clean.
Another way to prevent accidents and potentially help your accident removal case is to enroll in a defensive driving course. This shows that you are able to take initiative while actively improving your driving skills. A defensive driving course is a great way to prove your case for removal.
Working with Angel Reyes & Associates to Remove an Accident from Your Driving Record
Successfully removing a car accident from your Texas driving record can have lasting benefits. In addition to potentially lowering insurance rates, a clean driving record can improve employment opportunities, especially for positions that require driving. It can also provide peace of mind, knowing that past incidents won’t continue to affect your future.
With over 30 years of experience handling car and truck accident cases in Texas, we have the ability and the passion to help you through any challenge you face. Our team of incredible personal injury attorneys will be there for you every step of the way, providing 24/7 support as they fight the battle to remove an accident from your driving record. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate.
The compassionate team of attorneys at Angel Reyes & Associates takes pride in helping our valued clients face the challenges of complex car accident issues head-on, especially when your driving record is concerned. Allow us to help you by removing the stress from the equation as we handle all communication and negotiation on your behalf.
Contact us today for a free consultation, or stop by one of our conveniently located Texas offices in Dallas, Fort-Worth, Houston, or Austin so we can discuss your case face-to-face.
Stay safe, Texas.
