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Hit-and-Run Statistics: A Nationwide Data Report

Every 43 seconds, a hit-and-run crash occurs somewhere in the United States. Drivers flee accident scenes at an alarming rate, leaving victims without recourse and law enforcement scrambling to identify responsible parties. The consequences range from minor property damage to fatal injuries — and the numbers are getting worse, not better.

This report compiles nationwide hit-and-run data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and other federal sources to provide the most comprehensive overview of hit-and-run crashes in the United States. Data covers crash frequency, fatality trends, contributing factors, state-by-state breakdowns, and the role license plate identification plays in solving these cases.

Key statistics at a glance

Statistic	Figure	Source
Average annual hit-and-run crashes	682,000+	AAA Foundation
Hit-and-run fatalities (2022, all-time high)	2,972	NHTSA 2022
Hit-and-run fatalities (2023)	2,872	NHTSA 2023
Share of all traffic deaths (2022)	7%	NHTSA 2022
People involved in hit-and-runs (2018–2022)	4 million+	AutoInsurance.com
Fatal hit-and-runs occurring at night	77.3%	ValuePenguin
Increase in fatal hit-and-runs over 10 years	89%	ValuePenguin
Hit-and-run crashes per year (2015 peak)	737,100	AAA Foundation

Hit-and-run fatality trends (2015–2023)

Fatal hit-and-run crashes have risen dramatically over the past decade. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the number of people killed in hit-and-run crashes reached an all-time high in 2022 before a slight decline in 2023. Despite that dip, fatalities remain nearly double what they were a decade ago.

The data below tracks annual hit-and-run fatalities from 2015 through 2023, illustrating a trend that has consistently outpaced overall traffic fatality growth during the same period.

Year	Hit-and-run fatalities	% of all traffic deaths	Change year over year
2015	1,738	5.0%	—
2016	2,049	5.8%	+17.9%
2017	2,113	6.1%	+3.1%
2018	2,183	6.3%	+3.3%
2019	2,215	6.4%	+1.5%
2020	2,436	6.6%	+10.0%
2021	2,893	6.8%	+18.8%
2022	2,972	7.0%	+2.7%
2023	2,872	6.9%	-3.4%

Hit-and-run fatalities by year

United States, 2015–2023

Hit-and-run fatalities

Sources: NHTSA 2022; NHTSA 2023; AAA Foundation

Several factors contributed to the sharp increases seen between 2016 and 2022. Researchers point to increased vehicle miles traveled, higher rates of impaired and distracted driving, and a post-pandemic surge in reckless driving behavior. The spike in 2020 and 2021 is particularly notable given that overall vehicle miles traveled actually decreased during the early COVID-19 pandemic period — meaning drivers were fleeing scenes at a higher rate even as roads were less congested.

Night vs. day: when hit-and-runs are most deadly

The time of day plays a significant role in hit-and-run fatality rates. According to data analyzed by ValuePenguin covering a 10-year period:

77.3% of all deadly hit-and-run crashes occurred at night
9.5% of deadly nighttime crashes involved a hit-and-run driver
Only 2.7% of fatal daytime crashes involved a hit-and-run driver

This disparity reflects the reduced visibility and lower witness presence during nighttime hours, which increases the likelihood that a fleeing driver will go unidentified — making license plate capture at the scene the primary method of identification in many cases.

Hit-and-run crashes by state

Hit-and-run crashes are not evenly distributed across the United States. Certain states consistently report higher rates of hit-and-run incidents due to factors including population density, urban sprawl, road infrastructure, and enforcement levels. The data below draws from NHTSA state-level crash reporting and independent research to identify which states carry the heaviest burden.

States with the highest hit-and-run fatality rates

The following states recorded the highest number of hit-and-run fatalities relative to total traffic deaths, based on the most recent available federal data:

Rank	State	Hit-and-run fatalities	% of state traffic deaths
1	Florida	267	9.8%
2	California	337	9.6%
3	Texas	281	8.1%
4	Georgia	148	8.9%
5	North Carolina	122	8.4%
6	Louisiana	89	10.2%
7	New Mexico	47	10.8%
8	Nevada	58	9.9%
9	Arizona	112	9.1%
10	Tennessee	98	8.6%

Hit-and-run fatality rates by state

Percentage of total state traffic deaths involving hit-and-run drivers

Lower rate

Higher rate

Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts. Hover over any state to see its rate.

States with the lowest hit-and-run fatality rates

In contrast, several states consistently report lower hit-and-run fatality rates. Smaller populations, lower overall traffic volumes, and stronger enforcement programs are frequently cited as contributing factors.

Rank	State	Hit-and-run fatalities	% of state traffic deaths
1	Vermont	2	2.9%
2	North Dakota	3	3.1%
3	Wyoming	4	3.4%
4	Maine	5	3.6%
5	Montana	6	3.8%

Urban vs. rural hit-and-run rates

Geography plays a significant role in hit-and-run frequency. Urban areas account for a disproportionate share of hit-and-run incidents nationwide due to higher traffic density, more pedestrian activity, and greater anonymity for fleeing drivers. Key findings include:

Urban areas account for approximately 74% of all hit-and-run crashes nationally
Rural hit-and-run crashes are less frequent but more likely to be fatal due to delayed emergency response times
Pedestrians and cyclists are disproportionately affected in urban hit-and-run incidents

Understanding which states and environments carry the highest risk underscores the importance of rapid vehicle identification following a crash. A license plate lookup performed immediately after a hit-and-run incident can provide law enforcement and victims with registered owner information, vehicle history, and address data — critical details that can determine whether a case is solved or goes cold.

Contributing factors in hit-and-run crashes

Understanding why drivers flee accident scenes is critical to addressing the problem. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and federal crash data identifies several consistent factors that contribute to hit-and-run behavior nationwide.

Impaired driving

Alcohol and drug impairment is one of the most frequently cited factors in hit-and-run crashes. Drivers under the influence are significantly more likely to flee a scene to avoid detection and criminal charges. Key data points include:

Alcohol involvement is present in approximately 22% of all hit-and-run fatalities
Drivers with prior DUI convictions are disproportionately represented in hit-and-run crash data
Impaired drivers are more likely to flee at night when visibility is lower and witness presence is reduced

Unlicensed and uninsured drivers

Drivers without a valid license or insurance have a strong incentive to flee crash scenes to avoid legal and financial consequences. According to federal data:

An estimated 13% of all U.S. drivers are uninsured according to the Insurance Information Institute
States with higher rates of uninsured drivers tend to report higher hit-and-run rates
Unlicensed drivers are significantly overrepresented in hit-and-run crash reports

Fear of legal consequences

Even licensed and insured drivers sometimes flee scenes out of fear — particularly if they believe they were at fault, were distracted at the time of the crash, or had prior violations on their record. Research suggests that:

The likelihood of fleeing increases when drivers perceive the crash as serious
Drivers with prior traffic violations or criminal records are more likely to flee
Urban environments with lower witness density increase the perceived chance of escape

Distracted driving

In some hit-and-run cases drivers are unaware they struck another vehicle or person, particularly in low-speed incidents or when distracted by a phone or other device. However research indicates that genuine unawareness accounts for only a small fraction of hit-and-run cases — the majority involve a conscious decision to flee.

Impaired driving 22% Unlicensed / uninsured 31% Fear of consequences 28% Distracted / unaware 11% Other / unknown 8%

Source: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

How license plate lookup helps solve hit-and-run cases

When a hit-and-run occurs, the license plate number is often the only piece of evidence available to identify the fleeing driver. A partial or full plate number captured by a witness, dashcam, or nearby surveillance camera can be the difference between a case being solved and going cold. This section examines how license plate lookup technology and services are used to identify hit-and-run drivers at both the law enforcement and civilian level.

What a license plate lookup can reveal

A license plate lookup queries state motor vehicle databases and public records to return identifying information tied to a registered vehicle. Depending on the method used and the jurisdiction, a lookup can return the following data:

Data point	Available via public lookup	Available via licensed PI
Registered owner name	Limited	Yes
Current and previous addresses	No	Yes
Vehicle make, model and year	Yes	Yes
Vehicle history and title status	Yes (via VIN)	Yes
Insurance status	No	Yes
Prior traffic violations	No	Yes
Criminal history flags	No	Yes
Known associates	No	Yes

For hit-and-run victims seeking to identify a fleeing driver, a standard public lookup often returns incomplete data due to privacy protections under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). The DPPA restricts access to motor vehicle records and limits who can legally request owner information from state DMV databases. Permissible purposes under the DPPA include insurance claims, legal proceedings, and investigations conducted by licensed private investigators.

Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in hit-and-run investigations

Law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on automated license plate reader technology to identify vehicles involved in hit-and-run crashes. ALPRs are camera systems mounted on patrol vehicles, overpasses, and fixed infrastructure that capture and log license plate data in real time.

Key statistics on ALPR effectiveness include:

Over 700,000 crimes are solved annually using Flock Safety ALPR technology alone — representing approximately 10% of reported crime nationwide
Vehicles are involved in 70% of all crimes making plate identification a critical investigative tool
A single network of ALPR cameras recovered stolen vehicles worth more than $6.5 million according to FBI data
Hit rates for ALPR scans range from 0.01% to 0.08% — but given the volume of scans processed daily, even low hit rates translate to thousands of identifications per year

The civilian option: license plate lookup services

For hit-and-run victims who cannot wait for law enforcement to complete an investigation — or whose cases have gone cold — a civilian license plate lookup service provides an accessible alternative. These services query publicly available motor vehicle data and proprietary databases to return registered owner information within minutes.

Common use cases for civilian license plate lookups following a hit-and-run include:

Identifying the registered owner of a vehicle that fled after striking a parked car
Gathering owner information to share with an insurance adjuster or personal injury attorney
Verifying vehicle details before filing a police report
Confirming whether a suspect vehicle matches the description of a fleeing driver

If you have a plate number from a hit-and-run incident, an instant license plate lookup can return registered owner data, vehicle history, and address information to help you move your case forward.

How the lookup process works

Capture the plate number

Record as much of the plate as possible — full plate is ideal but partial plates can still return results in many cases.

Submit the lookup request

Enter the plate number and state into a licensed lookup service. Results are typically returned within minutes.

Review registered owner data

Results include registered owner name, address history, vehicle details, and in some cases insurance and violation data.

Share with law enforcement or your attorney

Provide the registered owner information to police or your personal injury attorney to support your claim or investigation.

Vehicle theft and license plate crimes

Hit-and-run crashes frequently intersect with vehicle theft and license plate related crimes. Stolen vehicles are commonly used in hit-and-run incidents, and stolen or swapped license plates are a known tactic used by drivers to avoid identification. Understanding the scale of vehicle theft in the United States provides important context for why rapid plate identification matters.

Vehicle theft statistics

According to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the FBI Uniform Crime Report, vehicle theft remains a significant problem across the United States despite recent declines:

Approximately 1 million vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2023
Vehicle theft declined by approximately 17% in 2024 compared to peak levels
The total value of stolen vehicles exceeds $8 billion annually according to NICB estimates
Vehicles are involved in 70% of all crimes in the United States
Kia and Hyundai vehicles accounted for a disproportionate share of thefts in 2022 and 2023 following a viral social media challenge

Vehicles stolen (thousands)

Sources: NICB; FBI Uniform Crime Report

Stolen plates and plate switching in hit-and-run cases

One of the more challenging aspects of hit-and-run investigations is the use of stolen or switched license plates. Drivers involved in crimes including hit-and-runs sometimes attach stolen plates to their vehicles to throw off identification efforts. Key considerations include:

A license plate lookup that returns a mismatch between the plate and vehicle description is a strong indicator of plate switching
Law enforcement cross-references plate data with vehicle make, model, and color to identify mismatches
ALPR systems are specifically designed to flag plate-to-vehicle mismatches in real time
Reporting a plate-to-vehicle mismatch to law enforcement immediately following a hit-and-run can significantly accelerate the investigation

Vehicle recovery rates following theft

Recovery rates for stolen vehicles vary significantly depending on how quickly the theft is reported and whether plate identification technology is involved in the recovery effort:

Recovery method	Recovery rate	Average time to recovery
ALPR assisted recovery	High	Hours
Police report only	Moderate	Days to weeks
GPS tracking device	Very high	Hours
Civilian plate lookup	Moderate	Hours to days
No action taken	Very low	Rarely recovered

Whether you are dealing with a hit-and-run, a stolen vehicle, or a suspicious plate mismatch, an instant license plate lookup provides immediate access to registered owner data and vehicle history — giving you actionable information when time is critical.

Automated license plate reader (ALPR) crime data

Automated license plate reader technology has become one of the most effective tools in modern law enforcement. ALPR systems capture, log, and cross-reference license plate data in real time — flagging vehicles of interest and generating investigative leads at a scale that manual patrol methods cannot match. The data on ALPR effectiveness makes a compelling case for why plate identification sits at the center of hit-and-run investigations.

How ALPR technology works

ALPR cameras are mounted on patrol vehicles, highway overpasses, parking structures, and fixed roadside infrastructure. Each camera captures license plate images and automatically compares them against databases containing:

Stolen vehicle records
Outstanding warrants and wanted persons linked to registered vehicles
Vehicles of interest in active investigations
Expired registration and insurance flags
Amber Alert and missing persons vehicle data

When a plate matches a record in any of these databases the system generates an instant alert to the officer or monitoring station. According to a Congressional Research Service report on ALPR technology, law enforcement agencies use ALPR data for gathering intelligence, identifying potential suspects, and facilitating crime scene analysis.

ALPR effectiveness by the numbers

Metric	Figure	Source
Annual crimes solved using Flock Safety ALPR	700,000+	Flock Safety
Share of reported crime solved via ALPR	~10%	Flock Safety
Stolen vehicles recovered in one FBI study	1,102	FBI
Value of vehicles recovered in FBI study	$6.5 million+	FBI
Vehicles involved in crimes nationally	70%	Flock Safety
Typical ALPR scan hit rate	0.01%–0.08%	Brennan Center
Secondary crimes related to vehicle theft	79% property crimes	Colorado DCJ

Crimes solved via ALPR (thousands)

Source: Flock Safety

ALPR limitations and the civilian gap

Despite the effectiveness of ALPR technology, significant coverage gaps exist across the United States. ALPR deployment is concentrated in larger urban departments with sufficient budgets — leaving many suburban and rural jurisdictions with limited or no plate reader infrastructure. Key limitations include:

No standardized national ALPR network exists — coverage varies dramatically by jurisdiction
Data retention policies vary by state — some jurisdictions delete plate scan data after as little as 30 days
Hit rates of 0.01% to 0.08% mean the vast majority of scans return no actionable data
Rural and suburban hit-and-run victims in jurisdictions without ALPR coverage have limited law enforcement plate identification options

For victims in areas with limited ALPR coverage — or in cases where law enforcement resources are stretched — a civilian license plate lookup service fills the gap by providing immediate access to registered owner data without waiting for law enforcement to act.

License plate lookup laws by state

Access to license plate and motor vehicle records in the United States is governed primarily by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), a federal law enacted in 1994 that restricts who can access personal information from state motor vehicle records and for what purposes. Understanding the legal framework around plate lookups is critical for anyone seeking to identify a hit-and-run driver through official or civilian channels.

What the DPPA covers

The DPPA prohibits state DMVs from disclosing personal information contained in motor vehicle records — including name, address, phone number, and social security number — except for a specific list of permissible purposes. Violations of the DPPA carry civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation and can result in criminal charges in egregious cases.

Permissible purposes under the DPPA include:

Use by law enforcement agencies in carrying out official functions
Use in connection with a civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding
Use by a licensed private investigator acting on behalf of a client with a legitimate need
Use by an insurer or insurance support organization in connection with a claim
Use by an employer to verify commercial driver license information
Use in connection with a motor vehicle recall or safety research
Use for legitimate research purposes by academic institutions

State-by-state license plate lookup regulations

While the DPPA sets the federal baseline, individual states have enacted their own motor vehicle privacy laws that in some cases are more restrictive than federal requirements. The table below summarizes the license plate lookup landscape across the 25 most populous states:

State	Public lookup allowed	PI lookup allowed	DPPA exemptions apply	Additional state restrictions
California	Limited	Yes	Yes	Additional privacy protections under CPRA
Texas	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Florida	Limited	Yes	Yes	Florida statute 119.0712 adds restrictions
New York	Limited	Yes	Yes	NY Vehicle and Traffic Law applies
Pennsylvania	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Illinois	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Ohio	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Georgia	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
North Carolina	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Michigan	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
New Jersey	Limited	Yes	Yes	NJ Motor Vehicle Commission restrictions apply
Virginia	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Washington	Limited	Yes	Yes	Washington Privacy Act adds restrictions
Arizona	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Tennessee	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Massachusetts	Limited	Yes	Yes	MA Data Privacy Law adds restrictions
Indiana	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Missouri	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Maryland	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Colorado	Limited	Yes	Yes	Colorado Privacy Act adds restrictions
Wisconsin	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Minnesota	Limited	Yes	Yes	Minnesota Government Data Practices Act applies
South Carolina	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Alabama	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA
Louisiana	Limited	Yes	Yes	None beyond DPPA

Why public lookups return limited data

Many people attempting to identify a hit-and-run driver discover that free or public license plate lookup tools return only basic vehicle information — make, model, year, and state of registration — without revealing the registered owner’s name or address. This is a direct result of DPPA restrictions on DMV data disclosure to the general public.

The practical implication is that civilians seeking full registered owner data following a hit-and-run have two primary legal options:

File a police report and request that law enforcement conduct an official DMV query on their behalf
Use a licensed plate lookup service that operates under DPPA permissible purpose exemptions to access full registered owner data legally and compliantly

It is important to note that attempting to obtain motor vehicle records outside of DPPA permissible purposes — including purchasing data from unauthorized sources or misrepresenting your purpose to a DMV — carries significant legal risk including civil liability and potential criminal charges.

Penalties for hit-and-run drivers by state

Hit-and-run penalties vary significantly by state and by the severity of the incident. The table below outlines penalties across the ten states with the highest hit-and-run fatality rates:

State	Property damage only	Injury involved	Fatality involved	Max prison sentence
Florida	Misdemeanor	Felony	1st degree felony	30 years
California	Misdemeanor	Felony	Felony	4 years
Texas	Misdemeanor	Felony	2nd degree felony	20 years
Georgia	Misdemeanor	Felony	Felony	5 years
North Carolina	Misdemeanor	Felony	Felony	39 months
Louisiana	Misdemeanor	Felony	Felony	10 years
New Mexico	Misdemeanor	Felony	3rd degree felony	3 years
Nevada	Misdemeanor	Felony	Category B felony	20 years
Arizona	Misdemeanor	Felony	Class 3 felony	8.75 years
Tennessee	Misdemeanor	Felony	Class D felony	12 years

The severity of these penalties underscores why fleeing drivers are motivated to avoid identification — and why rapid license plate lookup following an incident is so critical for victims seeking accountability.

What to do after a hit-and-run

Being involved in a hit-and-run is a disorienting experience. Acting quickly and methodically in the immediate aftermath significantly increases the chances of identifying the fleeing driver and recovering damages. The following step-by-step guide draws on law enforcement recommendations and legal best practices for hit-and-run victims nationwide.

Immediate steps at the scene

Check for injuries and call 911

Your safety and the safety of any passengers is the first priority. Call 911 immediately regardless of whether injuries are apparent — some injuries are not immediately visible and a police report is essential for any subsequent insurance claim or legal action.

Record the license plate number immediately

If you can safely observe the fleeing vehicle write down or photograph the license plate number before it disappears from view. Even a partial plate — the first three characters or the last three — can be enough to narrow down a vehicle in a database search.

Document vehicle details

Note the make, model, color, and any distinguishing features of the fleeing vehicle such as damage, bumper stickers, or aftermarket modifications. This information helps cross-reference plate lookup results and confirms a plate-to-vehicle match.

Gather witness information

Ask any bystanders or nearby drivers if they witnessed the incident and if so collect their names and contact information. Witnesses may have captured additional details including a clearer view of the plate number or the driver.

Look for surveillance cameras

Scan the immediate area for traffic cameras, business security cameras, doorbell cameras, or dashcams on nearby parked vehicles. Surveillance footage can capture plate numbers and driver details that witnesses may have missed. Note the locations and report them to responding officers.

Photograph all damage and the scene

Document all vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and the surrounding area with your phone camera. This evidence supports your insurance claim and any subsequent legal action.

Steps to take in the hours following the incident

File a formal police report

If police did not respond to the scene file a formal report at your local police department or online through your jurisdiction’s reporting portal. A police report number is required by most insurance companies to process a hit-and-run claim.

Run a license plate lookup

If you captured the plate number use an instant license plate lookup to obtain registered owner data including name, address history, and vehicle details. Provide this information to law enforcement and your insurance company to accelerate the identification process.

Notify your insurance company

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after the incident. Most policies cover hit-and-run damage under uninsured motorist coverage. Provide your police report number, photos, witness information, and any plate lookup results you have obtained.

Consult a personal injury attorney

If you sustained injuries or significant property damage consult a personal injury attorney who specializes in vehicle accidents. An attorney can advise on your legal options, assist with insurance negotiations, and pursue civil action against an identified hit-and-run driver.

What if the driver is never identified

Unfortunately not all hit-and-run cases are solved. When a fleeing driver cannot be identified victims still have options for recovering damages:

Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy typically covers hit-and-run damage and injuries even when the driver is not identified
State crime victim compensation funds may cover medical expenses in cases involving injury
If new evidence emerges — including a plate number obtained later from a witness or surveillance footage — a case can be reopened even months after the incident
Cold case hit-and-run investigations have been solved years later using ALPR historical data and civilian tip lines

If your hit-and-run case has gone cold and you have a plate number that has not yet been looked up an instant license plate lookup may still return actionable registered owner data to help move your case forward.

Summary: hit-and-run statistics and license plate lookup

Hit-and-run crashes represent one of the most serious and growing problems on American roads. The data compiled in this report paints a clear picture of the scale and trajectory of the problem:

Over 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occur annually in the United States
Fatal hit-and-run crashes reached an all-time high of 2,972 in 2022 — an 89% increase over a decade
77.3% of deadly hit-and-run crashes occur at night when identification is most difficult
Impaired, unlicensed, and uninsured drivers account for the majority of fleeing behavior
ALPR technology solves over 700,000 crimes annually but coverage gaps leave many victims without law enforcement plate identification resources
The DPPA restricts public access to registered owner data — making a licensed lookup service the fastest legal option for civilians seeking to identify a hit-and-run driver

The single most important action a hit-and-run victim can take — beyond calling 911 — is capturing the fleeing vehicle’s license plate number. That number, when run through a licensed lookup service, can return the registered owner’s name, address history, and vehicle details within minutes — information that can determine whether a case is solved or goes cold.

Frequently asked questions

How many hit-and-run crashes happen every year in the United States?

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes occur per year in the United States. The peak year on record was 2015 with 737,100 reported crashes.

How many people die in hit-and-run crashes each year?

According to NHTSA data, 2,872 people were killed in hit-and-run crashes in 2023. The all-time high was 2,972 fatalities recorded in 2022, representing 7% of all traffic deaths that year.

Which state has the highest hit-and-run rate?

New Mexico records the highest hit-and-run fatality rate as a percentage of total traffic deaths at 10.8%, followed by Louisiana at 10.2% and Florida at 9.8%. California records the highest absolute number of hit-and-run fatalities due to its large population and high vehicle miles traveled.

Can I look up a license plate myself after a hit-and-run?

Yes. While free public lookup tools return limited data due to DPPA privacy restrictions, a licensed plate lookup service can legally return registered owner name, address history, and vehicle details under permissible purpose exemptions. An instant license plate lookup can return results within minutes of submitting a plate number and state.

What information does a license plate lookup return?

A licensed plate lookup can return the registered owner name, current and previous addresses, vehicle make model and year, vehicle history and title status, and in some cases insurance status and prior violations. The depth of results depends on the state and the lookup service used.

Is it legal to look up a license plate after a hit-and-run?

Yes. Looking up a license plate for the purpose of identifying a driver involved in a crash is a permissible purpose under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act. Using a licensed lookup service ensures the query is conducted legally and compliantly within DPPA guidelines.

What should I do if I only got a partial plate number?

A partial plate number is still valuable. Even three or four characters combined with the vehicle make, model, color, and state can significantly narrow down possible matches in a database search. Submit whatever plate information you have along with vehicle details when running a lookup — and provide all available information to responding law enforcement officers.

Do you have a plate number from a hit-and-run?

Run an instant license plate lookup to identify the registered owner, address history, and vehicle details — results returned within minutes.

Run a License Plate Lookup

Conducted legally under DPPA permissible purpose guidelines

Data sources and methodology

The statistics compiled in this report are drawn from the following primary sources. All data points are linked inline throughout the article to their original source publications.