Background Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) has emerged as a global health challenge and is the eighth leading cause of global mortality, claiming 1.3 million lives each year. Ninety-three per cent of road casualties crop up in low-middle-income countries, and India tops the world with 11 per cent of the global mortality in RTIs. Hence it is essential to understand the burden of the injury and mortality trend in the state and its economic impact on the states.

Objective The objective is to look into correlation between fatal and non-fatal injury burden due to road traffic crashes and economic condition in India.

Methods Data were retrieved from the National Crime Records Bureau reports 2022 and Economic Survey 2022–23. Data on fatal and non-fatal injuries due to road traffic crashes and economic conditions were considered. State was our unit for analysis. The morbidity and mortality burden were calculated with regard to projected population for 2022 for each of the states. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu were leading the list with highest mortality burden whereas Ladakh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu were leading with highest morbidity burden from road traffic injuries. There was a positive correlation between the mortality burden and economic condition of the states. The correlation coefficient for fatal injury was 0.46 and correlation coefficient for non-fatal injury was 0.12.

Conclusions The analysis showed positive correlation between fatal road traffic injuries and economic condition.