Car crashes claim tens of thousands of lives across the United States every year, but does where you live or how much you earn affect your risk on the road? A new analysis from Omega Law Group of federal and state data suggests the answer is complex.
In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 40,901 motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. The leading causes were drunk driving, speeding, failure to wear seatbelts, and distracted driving. Young adults aged 19–21 remain at the highest risk, with crashes ranking as the leading cause of death for this age group.
California, home to 39.2 million residents, accounted for 4,061 fatalities, about 10% of the national total. Researchers examined the Golden State more closely, comparing its wealthiest counties with its poorest counties to see whether income levels and infrastructure investment play a measurable role in crash risk.
Income Extremes Across California
The income divide in California is stark. According to 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data, the state’s median household income of $95,521 is well above the national median of $80,610. Yet the gap between rich and poor counties is immense.
- Wealthiest counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, San Francisco, and Alameda, where incomes range from $112,017 to $140,258. These areas benefit from proximity to tech hubs, advanced education levels, and strong local economies.
- Poorest counties: Trinity, Imperial, Siskiyou, Modoc, and Tehama, with median incomes between $42,206 and $52,901. These rural economies rely on agriculture and natural resources, facing limited infrastructure and chronic underinvestment.
This divide sets the stage for strikingly different roadway outcomes.
Car Crash Fatalities: Wealthy vs. Poor Counties
In 2023, California’s five wealthiest counties recorded 294 motor vehicle fatalities. By contrast, its five poorest counties saw only 58 deaths.
At first glance, this seems counterintuitive. Why would wealthier areas with better infrastructure report more deaths? The explanation lies largely in population size and traffic volume.
- The five richest counties are home to more than 4.4 million people, including nearly two million in Santa Clara alone.
- The five poorest counties combined house just 312,000 residents—14 times fewer. Modoc County, the smallest, has under 9,000 residents.
More residents mean more cars, more daily commutes, and heavier congestion, all factors that naturally drive up crash totals.
Road Quality: A Tale of Two Californias
Wealth not only affects the population but also road safety itself. The Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment gives most wealthy Bay Area counties pavement condition index (PCI) scores in the “Good” (70–79) or “Fair” (60–69) categories.
- Alameda: PCI 67
- San Francisco: PCI 74
- Santa Clara & San Mateo: PCI 70–71
These scores reflect smoother roads, clear signage, and well-funded preservation programs.
Meanwhile, poorer counties like Modoc and Trinity fall into the “At Risk” (50–59) or “Poor” (below 50) categories. Crumbling pavement, inadequate lighting, and minimal safety barriers make every mile traveled more hazardous.
This shows that while poorer counties see fewer crashes overall, their residents face greater risk per mile traveled due to deteriorating infrastructure and limited public investment.
Vehicles, Resources, and Emergency Response
Another hidden disparity lies in resources. Wealthier residents are more likely to drive newer vehicles equipped with advanced safety features like automatic braking and lane departure warnings. These technologies reduce the severity of crashes even when they occur.
By contrast, residents of low-income areas are more likely to drive older cars without modern safety upgrades. They may also face longer response times after an accident due to limited access to emergency services, rural hospital closures, and fewer trauma care centers.
A Nuanced Role for Wealth
The data paints a layered picture. Wealthy counties report more crashes, but poor counties often face deadlier conditions.
- More crashes in rich counties: Driven by population density, congestion, and higher daily mileage.
- More danger in poor counties: Fueled by inadequate infrastructure, older vehicles, and limited medical care.
In other words, wealth doesn’t eliminate accident potential, but it does shape the driving environment in ways that can make roads safer or deadlier.
“At first glance, affluent counties appear riskier because of the higher crash totals,” the study explains. “But when adjusted for traffic volume, rural, low-income areas may pose far greater risk per mile traveled.”
The Bottom Line
Car accident risk in California isn’t solely about individual driver behavior; it’s about where you live, what you drive, and how much your county can invest in safer roads.
Wealthy counties like Santa Clara and San Mateo log higher numbers of crashes due to their sheer size and traffic density. Yet their well-maintained roads and newer cars create safer outcomes overall. Poorer counties like Modoc and Trinity report fewer crashes but face far greater hazards from crumbling infrastructure and fewer safety nets.
The study concludes: wealth indirectly influences accident likelihood by shaping driving conditions, infrastructure, and resources. While no county is immune to crashes, investment in road quality and safety programs can reduce risks for all Californians.
