Texas Bill Would Keep Secret Information About People Involved In Traffic Accidents

The Texas Senate approved a bill that will keep secret the names and other information about people who are involved in traffic accidents. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 20 – 10.

This bill, if it becomes law, will mark a significant change. Normally this information is public and is used to report the news and events of public interest. Under the bill, only the location of the accident, the date, the time, and the make and model of the vehicles involved will be made public.

The bill was designed to keep information on the parties involved from becoming victims of scam artists, and to protect the privacy of those involved in car accidents. One Senator who amended the bill said that he had found it inappropriate in the past when the media repeats the names of accident victims over and over. He also said that privacy is an endangered species.

Other Senators thought that the information should not be kept secret, and expressed the concern that it could be unconstitutional. The bill was amended in the Senate, so it must go back to the House for passage. It then must be signed into law by the Governor in order to take effect.

It’s clear that some information about accident victims should be kept private, although this may not be the correct approach. We provide free consultations, and if we take your case we recover nothing until we obtain an award for you. Call to learn more about our firm or to schedule your consultation.