Craniocerebral injuries in traffic accidents with fatal outcomes

Abstract

Research into crainiocerebral injury (CCI) characteristics of traffic accidents with fatal outcomes, as well as certain types of CCIs and defined categories of traffic participants, has been conducted. The research data were obtained from autopsy protocols at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Serbia. Out of the 202 cases of individuals who had been fatally injured in traffic accidents, CCIs were diagnosed in 82.7% of them. The highest percentage of CCIs was established for front-seat passengers (95%), while for drivers it was 86.2%, pedestrians 78%, and 76% for rear-seat passengers. The domination of males among the deceased was also found, mostly as drivers (92%). The majority of individuals who experienced a CCI were in the age group of 21 to 30 years old, while pedestrians were commonly older than 60. In these cases, a high frequency of skull fractures was usually localized in different cranial regions (67.7%). In the majority of cases with CCIs (81.4%), these injuries contributed to an ultimate fatal outcome, mainly in pedestrians (93%). Fatal and non-fatal CCIs resulting from traffic accidents can result in significant socio-economic consequences for the individual and society as a whole that include specifically the ongoing costs and outcomes in cases from non-fatal injuries.

Keywords:

• craniocerebral injuries
• traffic accidents
• cause of death
• traffic participants
• pedestrians
• drivers

Acknowledgments

The authors of this paper would like to express their gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia for Grant No. 175014, out of which this forensic research project was partially financed.