According to the research, California has the tenth highest female-involved hit-and-run fatality rate in the United States.
The research by Washington, D.C.- based personal injury law firm Kitchel Law analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (CDAN) from 2019 to 2023 on hit-and-run incidents involving female drivers across all 50 states. The study then measured the average rate per million residents to identify the states with the most alarming rise in female-involved fatal hit-and-run crashes.
California ranks tenth with 3.95 female-involved hit-and-run fatalities per million residents, which is 55% higher than the national average of 2.55. The Golden State, with a population of 19,656,177 residents, recorded an average of 78 fatal incidents involving female drivers between 2019 and 2023. The deadliest year was 2021, with 102 fatalities, while the lowest was 2019, with 59 deaths.
Looking at the data, the spokesperson at Kitchel Law commented:
“This data highlights a concerning rise in female-involved hit-and-run fatalities across several states. While the overall rate of hit-and-run incidents remains alarming nationwide, the upward trend among female drivers underscores a shifting dynamic in driver behavior, potentially linked to stress, distraction, and post-crash panic.”
“California ranks tenth in experiencing rates well above the national average, emphasizing the need for stronger driver awareness campaigns, improved traffic enforcement, and mental health outreach for drivers involved in collisions.”
Table for Extended Results
| Top 10 U.S. States With Highest Female-Involved Hit-and-Run Fatalities | ||
| States | Average Hit and Run incidents Involving Female Drivers per million residents | Rank |
| Nevada | 5.41 | 1 |
| Tennessee | 5.18 | 2 |
| Louisiana | 4.74 | 3 |
| New Mexico | 4.52 | 4 |
| Arizona | 4.48 | 5 |
| Florida | 4.20 | 6 |
| Georgia | 4.16 | 7 |
| Missouri | 4.16 | 8 |
| Oklahoma | 3.98 | 9 |
| California | 3.95 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Kitchel Law, a personal injury law firm serving clients and families throughout the Washington, DC, area. The firm represents individuals injured in bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, and medical malpractice cases.
Methodology
The research analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (CDAN) from 2019 to 2023 on hit-and-run incidents involving female drivers across all U.S. states. The study then measured the average rate per million residents to identify states with the highest female-involved fatal hit-and-run risks.
Data Sources
- Fatal Crash Data →https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- Population Data → https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html
- Research Dataset → https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FPaLTzWcC45pJTl8gc_dopwuCXwb-7Fi8CnN2l7PGTs/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study by → kitchellaw.com

Copyright © 2025 California Business Journal. All Rights Reserved.
For California Business Journal Disclaimers, go to /terms-conditions/.




