Almost every day I hear or read about a hit and run car accident in Corpus Christi. Discovering that the driver who hit you has fled the scene is a traumatic experience. Whether it happened in a busy parking lot near La Palmera Mall or while merging with S.P.I.D., a hit and run is a serious crime in Texas.
However, “hit and run” doesn’t mean “out of luck.” As a local Corpus Christi hit and run lawyer, I have helped many clients recover compensation even when the at-fault driver isn’t immediately found.
1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911
Your first priority is safety. If your vehicle is operable, move it out of the main lanes of traffic—especially on high-speed areas like Crosstown Expressway (SH 286).
Call 911 immediately. Even if you think the damage is minor, Texas law requires you to report any accident involving injury or property damage that appears to be $1,000 or more. For hit and runs, a police report is a key piece of evidence for an insurance claim.
2. Document the “Fleeing Entity”
While your memory is fresh, write down or record a voice note with every detail you saw:
- Vehicle Details: Make, model, color, and any part of the license plate.
- Direction of Travel: Which way did they go? (e.g., “Heading east toward Flour Bluff on Saratoga“).
- Identifying Marks: Did the car have a specific bumper sticker, a cracked windshield, or a unique paint color?
Pro Tip: Do not chase the fleeing driver. Chasing a hit-and-run suspect is dangerous and can lead to secondary accidents or confrontations. Let the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) handle the pursuit.
3. Canvas the Area for “Digital Witnesses”
In a hit-and-run case, the “silent witnesses” are often the most reliable.
- Security Cameras: If you were hit near businesses on Staples Street or Airline Road, nearby shops or gas stations may have captured the collision on video.
- Dashcams: Check your own dashcam and ask witnesses if their cameras were rolling.
- Ring Doorbell Cameras: In residential areas like The Island or South Side, doorbell cameras are excellent for catching license plates.
4. Seek Medical Evaluation (The 72-Hour Rule)
From a legal perspective, a “gap in treatment” is the #1 way Texas insurance companies try to deny claims. Establishing a medical record on the day of the crash helps prove the accident caused your injuries.
Many victims of hit-and-runs don’t feel “hurt” until 24 to 48 hours later because it is common for adreneline to mask the pain. Visit an emergency room like CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi or an urgent care clinic immediately.
5. File Your Corpus Christi Police Report
If an officer did not come to the scene, you must file a report. You can do this in person at the CCPD Central Records division:
- Address: 321 John Sartain St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
- Phone: 361) 886-2600
- Cost: $6.00 for a standard report; $8.00 for a certified copy.
How a Corpus Christi Hit and Run Lawyer Helps
If the driver is never found, we can often help you recover through your Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Insurance companies are notorious for low-balling their own policyholders in hit-and-run cases and Jones & Koch Law Firm can help make sure that doesn’t happen.
