The Pattern of Injuries Received by 500 Drivers and Passengers Killed in Road Accidents

This survey of injuries received in 500 fatal road accidents indicates that 65% of deaths occur as a result of head and chest injuries or a combination of these without any other significant trauma. This fact is of importance in indicating that properly fitted seat belts may significantly reduce the occurrence of these fatal injuries. Death as the result of rupture of the dorsal aorta was found in 15% of the fatalities. An unexpected finding was that 7% of victims of fatal accidents died from asphyxia consequent to Inhalation of blood and vomitus after concussion. These cases of asphyxia are of special interest, as no other serious injury was present and early attention to victims in this group may improve the salvage rate.