California has the worst rate in the nation, with over one in ten fatal crashes involving a hit-and-run, 66% higher than the national average and 20% higher than the second-ranking state
- San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara have the highest rates statewide
- Statewide hit-and-run rates are highest between 9 and 10 pm, peaking at 17%
New research has revealed which states have the most hit-and-run crashes, with California’s rate being the highest in the country.
The research, carried out by Personal Injury Firm Suzuki Law Offices, studied the latest available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) between 2017 and 2021 to determine which states had the highest percentage of fatal motor crashes involving a hit-and-run.
California has the highest rate in the nation. Of 18,137 fatal accidents, 1,901 involved a hit-and-run. That’s a rate of over one in ten (10.48%), two-thirds above the national average of three in fifty (6.33%). The Sunshine State’s rate is a fifth greater than Illinois, the second-ranking state. Further analysis reveals San Francisco (22%), Los Angeles (15%), and Santa Clara (13%) have the highest rates statewide. Rates soared past 10% from 6 pm until 6 am, peaking at 17% from 9 until 10 pm. Neighboring states Nevada and Oregon rank 12th and 32nd, respectively.
Illinois takes second place, with 8.72% of fatal crashes involving a hit-and-run. In Illinois, 452 people lost their lives in hit-and-runs out of a total of 5,183 fatal traffic crashes, 38% above the national average. Cook County’s rate was the highest statewide (18%). The highest percentage of fatal hit-and-runs happened from 3 am until 4 am (18%), followed by 9 until 10 pm (17%). Of neighboring states, Michigan’s rate is the only other above average, ranking 14th.
New Jersey ranks third, with a rate of 8.51%. Of 2,857 fatal accidents, 243 involved a hit-and-run, over a third (34%) greater than the US average. Essex County has the highest rate by far, with a quarter of fatal crashes involving a hit-and-run, nine percent higher than Hudson County in second. New Jersey experienced the highest percentage of such incidents between 7 and 8 pm and 1 until 2 am, where rates climbed to 17%.
| 10 States with the Most Deadly Hit-and-Run Accidents | |||||
| Involving A Hit-and-Run | |||||
| Rank | State | Yes | No | Total | Fatal crashes involving a hit and run (%) |
| 1 | California | 1,901 | 16,236 | 18,137 | 10.48% |
| 2 | Illinois | 452 | 4,731 | 5,183 | 8.72% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 243 | 2,614 | 2,857 | 8.51% |
| 4 | Alaska | 27 | 291 | 318 | 8.49% |
| 5 | Hawaii | 41 | 442 | 483 | 8.49% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 157 | 1,696 | 1,853 | 8.47% |
| 7 | New York | 394 | 4,391 | 4,785 | 8.23% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 107 | 1,231 | 1,338 | 8.00% |
| 9 | Arizona | 367 | 4,405 | 4,772 | 7.69% |
| 10 | Texas | 1,341 | 16,208 | 17,549 | 7.64% |
Alaska ranks fourth, closely behind New Jersey, with 8.49% of fatal crashes involving a hit-and-run, a third higher than the national average. Anchorage has the highest rate in the state, with 20% of on-road fatalities resulting in a hit-and-run. Rates peaked between the hours of 6 and 7 am (25%), 10 and 11 pm (23%, and 2 and 3 am (22%).
Hawaii ranks fifth most dangerous, with 157 hit-and-runs out of 1,853 driving fatalities, a rate of 8.49%. Analysis reveals Kauai and Maui have the most frequent fatal hit-and-run incidents at 16% and 15%, respectively. The most dangerous hour is between 11 pm and 12 am, where rates soared to 20%.
New Mexico ranks sixth among states with the worst hit-and-run rates, involving one in 12 (8.47%) fatal crashes. Bernalillo County experienced the highest rates at 17%, followed by Doña Ana at 14%. Hit-and-run rates peaked at 19% between 9 and 10 pm, averaging 13% until 5 am before dropping below double figures.
New York experiences the seventh-highest rate of hit-and-runs in the country at 8.23%, with 394 out of 4,785 total on-road fatalities. The Bronx has the highest rate statewide, where over one in five (22%) traffic-related deaths involved a hit-and-run. Percentages climbed above double figures from 8 pm until 5 am, with 4 until 5 am being the most dangerous time.
Connecticut has the eighth-highest rate in the country, with one in twelve (8%) fatalities involving a hit-and-run, 26% above the national average. New Haven experienced the highest rate statewide at 13%. Analysis reveals the most dangerous hours are between 4 and 5 am, 11 pm until 12 am, and 9 until 10 pm, with percentages climbing to 21%, 18%, and 13%, respectively.
Arizona ranks ninth most dangerous for hit-and-runs, with 367 incidents compared to a total of 4,772 fatal crashes, a rate of 7.69%, which is 21% above the national average. Maricopa, Pima, and Santa Cruz experienced the highest percentages, with one in ten fatalities involving a hit-and-run. Statewide rates climbed above double figures from 7 pm until 6 am, peaking at 16% from 2 until 3 am.
Texas has the tenth-highest hit-and-run rate in the nation, representing 7.64% of total statewide traffic fatalities. Zapata, Dallam, Fisher, and Harris counties experienced the highest rates, with Dallas placing 12th. The highest percentage of traffic deaths involving a hit-and-run occurred between the hours of 8 pm and 4 am, where rates climbed and remained above 10%.
On the other hand, Maine has the lowest rate in the country, less than 1%.
Commenting on the findings, Richard Suzuki, founding attorney from Suzuki Law Offices said: “Statistics show that California has the worst rate in the nation. Analysis of nationwide data shows two-thirds of all hit-and-runs involved a pedestrian and a single vehicle during dark conditions. This suggests most hit-and-runs happen because the driver wants to avoid detection and the consequences of their actions. But if you hit a pedestrian with a car and flee the scene, it could potentially endanger their life and lead to more serious legal implications. Pedestrians are advised to wear highly visible and reflective clothing to help drivers see you from a greater distance, and take extra caution before crossing the road, especially at night.”
Source: Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) – 2017-2021
Credit to https://www.suzukilawoffices.com/
Full data:
| Involving A Hit And | |||||
| Run | |||||
| State | Yes | No | Total | Percentage of fatal crashes involving a hit and run | National average |
| California | 1,901 | 16,236 | 18,137 | 10.48% | 75.54% |
| Illinois | 452 | 4,731 | 5,183 | 8.72% | 46.06% |
| New Jersey | 243 | 2,614 | 2,857 | 8.51% | 42.55% |
| Alaska | 27 | 291 | 318 | 8.49% | 42.21% |
| Hawaii | 41 | 442 | 483 | 8.49% | 42.21% |
| New Mexico | 157 | 1,696 | 1,853 | 8.47% | 41.88% |
| New York | 394 | 4,391 | 4,785 | 8.23% | 37.86% |
| Connecticut | 107 | 1,231 | 1,338 | 8.00% | 34.00% |
| Arizona | 367 | 4,405 | 4,772 | 7.69% | 28.81% |
| Texas | 1,341 | 16,208 | 17,549 | 7.64% | 27.97% |
| Florida | 1,162 | 14,180 | 15,342 | 7.57% | 26.80% |
| Nevada | 116 | 1,429 | 1,545 | 7.51% | 25.80% |
| Maryland | 188 | 2,379 | 2,567 | 7.32% | 22.61% |
| Michigan | 330 | 4,505 | 4,835 | 6.83% | 14.41% |
| Louisiana | 245 | 3,509 | 3,754 | 6.53% | 9.38% |
| Tennessee | 339 | 4,965 | 5,304 | 6.39% | 7.04% |
| Washington | 171 | 2,508 | 2,679 | 6.38% | 6.87% |
| Total | 11,224 | 166,185 | 177,409 | 6.33% | 6.03% |
| Ohio | 330 | 5,195 | 5,525 | 5.97% | 0.00% |
| Rhode Island | 18 | 295 | 313 | 5.75% | -3.69% |
| Delaware | 32 | 542 | 574 | 5.57% | -6.70% |
| Colorado | 158 | 2,787 | 2,945 | 5.37% | -10.05% |
| Missouri | 227 | 4,150 | 4,377 | 5.19% | -13.07% |
| Pennsylvania | 271 | 5,118 | 5,389 | 5.03% | -15.75% |
| Georgia | 372 | 7,041 | 7,413 | 5.02% | -15.91% |
| Indiana | 201 | 3,843 | 4,044 | 4.97% | -16.75% |
| Wisconsin | 134 | 2,612 | 2,746 | 4.88% | -18.26% |
| North Carolina | 338 | 6,597 | 6,935 | 4.87% | -18.43% |
| Massachusetts | 81 | 1,637 | 1,718 | 4.71% | -21.11% |
| Oklahoma | 145 | 2,936 | 3,081 | 4.71% | -21.11% |
| South Carolina | 210 | 4,687 | 4,897 | 4.29% | -28.14% |
| Oregon | 94 | 2,222 | 2,316 | 4.06% | -31.99% |
| Kentucky | 141 | 3,354 | 3,495 | 4.03% | -32.50% |
| Virginia | 158 | 3,879 | 4,037 | 3.91% | -34.51% |
| Alabama | 163 | 4,170 | 4,333 | 3.76% | -37.02% |
| West Virginia | 46 | 1,252 | 1,298 | 3.54% | -40.70% |
| Mississippi | 109 | 3,058 | 3,167 | 3.44% | -42.38% |
| Arkansas | 90 | 2,574 | 2,664 | 3.38% | -43.38% |
| Utah | 42 | 1,216 | 1,258 | 3.34% | -44.05% |
| Minnesota | 61 | 1,782 | 1,843 | 3.31% | -44.56% |
| Kansas | 59 | 1,839 | 1,898 | 3.11% | -47.91% |
| Vermont | 9 | 285 | 294 | 3.06% | -48.74% |
| North Dakota | 14 | 459 | 473 | 2.96% | -50.42% |
| Montana | 23 | 891 | 914 | 2.52% | -57.79% |
| Nebraska | 25 | 1,007 | 1,032 | 2.42% | -59.46% |
| South Dakota | 12 | 560 | 572 | 2.10% | -64.82% |
| Iowa | 24 | 1,520 | 1,544 | 1.55% | -74.04% |
| Idaho | 11 | 1,061 | 1,072 | 1.03% | -82.75% |
| New Hampshire | 5 | 521 | 526 | 0.95% | -84.09% |
| Wyoming | 5 | 536 | 541 | 0.92% | -84.59% |
| Maine | 6 | 713 | 719 | 0.83% | -86.10% |
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