Tennessee ranks 3rd worst in U.S. for hit and run accidents

New Study Reveals The Worst U.S. States for Fatal Hit and Run Crashes
Data shows the states where most deadly hit-and-run incidents have left families devastated and facing crushing financial burdens

Key Findings:

• New study reveals which U.S. states have the highest rates of fatal hit-and-run crashes based on 2023 NHTSA data
• California leads with 457 deadly hit-and-run crashes, while Arizona and Tennessee follow with concerning per capita rates
• Car loan expert warns that financial protection becomes vital in high-risk states where deadly crashes can devastate uninsured families

Reckless driving and deteriorating road safety have become pressing concerns across America, with fatal hit-and-run crashes representing some of the most devastating incidents on our roads. Beyond claiming lives, these tragedies leave surviving families grappling with overwhelming emotional trauma and crushing financial burdens, particularly when victims lack adequate insurance coverage.

Now, a new study is revealing which U.S. states pose the greatest risk for deadly hit-and-run crashes, and it exposes stark regional disparities that could help drivers make informed decisions about insurance coverage and road safety precautions.

Montana Capital Car Title Loans, a leading provider of secured title loans serving over 300,000 customers across 46 states, conducted the comprehensive analysis to understand where fatal hit-and-run incidents pose the greatest threat to American families.

“Fatal hit-and-run crashes represent the most heartbreaking intersection of criminal behavior and financial devastation,” explains Shir Amram, COO at Montana Capital Car Title Loans. “When families lose loved ones in these incidents, they often face financial crises that can last for years.”

The study focuses specifically on fatal hit-and-run crashes in 2023 (not all hit-and-run incidents), identifying the most dangerous states where these incidents are most likely to turn deadly. Montana Capital analyzed 2023 NHTSA fatal crash data across all 50 U.S. states, combining total crash numbers with population estimates to calculate per capita rates and the percentage of all fatal crashes that were hit-and-runs. A composite score factoring these three metrics was used to rank states by hit-and-run prevalence.

Table 1: Top 10 US States With The Highest Number Of Deadly Hit And Run Cases

1. California (Score: 95.87)

California dominates the deadly hit-and-run landscape with 457 fatal crashes in 2023, representing 12.26% of all fatal crashes in the state. Despite its massive population, the Golden State still records 1.15 fatal hit-and-runs per 100,000 residents. The sheer volume of incidents reflects both California’s size and urban density challenges.

“California’s numbers are staggering, and families there face double jeopardy: higher crash risks and some of the nation’s highest living costs when dealing with aftermath expenses,” notes Amram. “The burden can be overwhelming, especially for those without comprehensive coverage.”

2. Arizona (Score: 87.03)

Arizona claims second place with 102 fatal hit-and-run crashes, translating to 1.33 incidents per 100,000 people. The desert state sees 8.54% of all fatal crashes classified as hit-and-runs, a concerning proportion that suggests enforcement and driver accountability issues.

“Arizona’s per capita rate is particularly troubling,” Amram explains. “Families in states with higher per capita rates face elevated risks every time they get behind the wheel, which makes adequate insurance coverage absolutely vital.”

3. Tennessee (Score: 87.03)

Tennessee ties with Arizona in overall risk score, recording 102 fatal hit-and-run crashes with a rate of 1.40 per 100,000 residents. The Volunteer State sees 8.37% of all fatal crashes involve hit-and-run scenarios, indicating significant challenges with driver responsibility and law enforcement.

“Tennessee’s numbers show that deadly hit-and-runs aren’t just a big city problem,” says Amram. “Rural and suburban families face these same devastating financial consequences when tragedy strikes.”

Table 2: Top 10 US States With The Least Number Of Deadly Hit And Run Cases

1. Iowa and Maine (Score: 0)

Both Iowa and Maine recorded zero fatal hit-and-run crashes in 2023, representing the safest states for this type of incident. These states demonstrate that effective traffic enforcement, community accountability, and driver education can virtually eliminate deadly hit-and-run crashes.

“Iowa and Maine show what’s possible when communities prioritize road safety and driver responsibility,” Amram observes. “Families in these states face dramatically lower risks of the devastation that comes with hit-and-run tragedies.”

2. Idaho (Score: 4.70)

Idaho recorded just 3 fatal hit-and-run crashes, resulting in an exceptionally low rate of 0.15 per 100,000 people. Only 1.24% of all fatal crashes were hit-and-runs, suggesting strong community values around driver accountability.

“States like Idaho prove that geography and population density aren’t destiny when it comes to hit-and-run crashes,” says Amram. “Strong enforcement and community standards make a real difference.”

3. Vermont (Score: 5.40)

Vermont experienced only 1 fatal hit-and-run crash in 2023, achieving a rate of 0.15 per 100,000 residents. The Green Mountain State saw just 1.59% of fatal crashes involve hit-and-run scenarios, reflecting exceptional driver responsibility.

“Vermont’s results show that even one incident is too many, but their low numbers demonstrate what effective safety measures can achieve,” notes Amram.

Shir Amram, COO at Montana Capital Car Title Loans, commented:

“Fatal hit-and-run crashes create a devastating financial crisis that extends far beyond the initial tragedy. Families suddenly face astronomical medical bills, vehicle replacement costs, legal fees, and lost income, often totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. The situation becomes catastrophic for uninsured or underinsured drivers who lack adequate coverage.

“Drivers in high-risk states like California, Arizona, and Tennessee need comprehensive insurance as absolutely vital financial protection. Adequate liability coverage, uninsured motorist protection, and collision coverage are essential to shield families from financial ruin. The data shows clear regional patterns, meaning residents in certain states face dramatically higher risks and should adjust their coverage accordingly.

“While we can’t control reckless drivers who flee accident scenes, we can control our financial preparedness. Proper insurance coverage means the difference between recovery and financial devastation when tragedy strikes.”

About Montana Capital Car Title Loans
Montana Capital Car Title Loans is a leading provider of secured title loans, helping individuals access fast cash by leveraging their vehicle’s equity. Established in 2007, the company has served over 300,000 customers across 46 states in the U.S. Known for its flexible lending criteria, Montana Capital offers loan amounts ranging from $500 to $50,000 even to those with poor or no credit. Borrowers can continue driving their vehicles during the loan term, and the process is streamlined for same- or next-day funding. With a strong focus on transparency, customer support, and financial accessibility, Montana Capital is a trusted solution for short-term financial needs.

Methodology
This analysis examined fatal hit-and-run crash data across all 50 U.S. states using 2023 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Data Analysis Network. The study calculated three key metrics for each state: total number of fatal hit-and-run crashes, fatal hit-and-run crashes per 100,000 people (using 2025 population estimates from World Population Review), and the percentage of all fatal crashes that were hit-and-runs.

A composite score was created by normalizing all three metrics on a scale of 0 to 1, averaging them, and multiplying by 100. Higher scores indicate greater hit-and-run risk prevalence. States were ranked based on this composite score, which accounts for both absolute numbers and per capita rates while considering the proportion of hit-and-runs relative to all fatal crashes.

Data sources: NHTSA Crash Data Analysis Network and World Population Review.

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