• Dixie County tops Florida with the highest fatal hit-and-run rate of 4.73 per 100,000 residents. 

• Hamilton (4.40) and Calhoun (2.93) counties rank second and third for fatal hit-and-run crashes, with 4.40 and 2.93 incidents per 100,000 residents.

• Miami-Dade County reported an average of 34 fatal hit-and-run accidents, the highest among all the U.S. states.

A new study reveals that Dixie County has the highest rate of fatal hit-and-run accidents in Florida.

The study by Florida-based Personal Injury lawyer Blakeley Law Firm analyzed fatal hit-and-run crash data from 2019 to 2023 across all Florida counties. Using population estimates from the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the study calculated fatal hit-and-run accident rates per 100,000 residents to determine the counties with the highest crash risks.

Dixie County ranks first for fatal hit-and-run crash risk in Florida, reporting 4.73 fatal hit-and-run accidents per 100,000 residents. Between 2019 and 2023, Dixie County, home to just 16,900 residents, recorded an average of 0.8 fatal hit-and-run accidents. The county experienced its worst year in 2023, with three fatal incidents, while recording zero fatal hit-and-runs from 2019 to 2021.

Hamilton County has the second-highest rate of fatal hit-and-run crashes in Florida, with 4.40 incidents per 100,000 people. From 2019 to 2023, Hamilton County, which had a population of 13,635, reported an average of 0.6 fatal hit-and-run accidents yearly. The county's deadliest year was 2020, with three fatal hit-and-run incidents, while recording zero fatal crashes in 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Calhoun County recorded the third-highest fatal hit-and-run crash rate in Florida, at 2.93 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a population of 13,658, the county saw an average of 0.4 fatal hit-and-run crashes each year from 2019 to 2023. The county peaked in 2021 and 2022 with one fatal incident yearly, while 2019, 2020, and 2023 recorded the lowest.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Blakely Law commented:

"This analysis sheds light on the alarming frequency of fatal hit-and-run crashes in Florida's counties, which often disrupt families and communities alike. Each accident represents more than a statistic — it reflects real lives affected by injury, loss, and long-term consequences.

"The high rates in these areas underscore systemic issues such as inadequate traffic infrastructure, insufficient lighting, and a lack of targeted safety measures.

"To protect residents and reduce these dangerous incidents, it is crucial for policymakers and local authorities to prioritize investments in roadway safety improvements, implement robust public awareness campaigns, and strengthen traffic law enforcement."

Okeechobee County is in fourth place for fatal hit-and-run crash rates, with 2.45 incidents per 100,000 residents. During the 2019–2023 timeframe, the county's population of 40,775 experienced an average of 1.0 fatal hit-and-run accidents annually. The county recorded its highest number of deadly incidents in 2019 and 2020, with two crashes yearly, while experiencing zero fatal hit-and-runs in 2021 and 2023.

Hendry County takes the fifth position in Florida for fatal hit-and-run crash rates, reporting 2.41 incidents per 100,000 residents. Between 2019 and 2023, the county's population of 41,560 averaged 1.0 fatal hit-and-run accidents annually. The county saw its worst year in 2022, with two deadly incidents, while recording zero fatal hit-and-runs in 2019.

Hardee County (6th) recorded 2.32 fatal hit-and-run accidents per 100,000 residents, followed by Walton County (7th) at 2.25, Putnam County (8th) at 2.14, Escambia County (9th) at 2.10, and Levy County (10th) at 1.81.

Table of Extended Results:

The study was conducted by Blakely Law, a Florida-based personal injury law firm representing clients injured in motor vehicle accidents or those who have lost loved ones due to negligence. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Methodology 

The research analyzed county-level fatal hit-and-run crash data from 2019 to 2023, sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Crash rates per 100,000 residents were calculated to determine which Florida counties reported the highest number of fatal hit-and-run accidents during the five years.

Data Source:

• Hit-and-run Accident Data:  https://cdan.dot.gov/query/   

• Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eX7ZpEuoAvG4mQuWR3wJ3skwWsRIbZhqNY_KRk4GO70/edit?gid=0#gid=0 

Study By: www.floridainjuryadvocate.com/