Trauma Review Highway and Traffic Related Accidents Information obtained from the Journal of Surgical Research, Volume 2, Number 34, 2000

Road traffic accidents are a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Victims can be an occupant of a motor vehicle, a motorcyclist, a passenger, a bicyclist or a pedestrian

Motorcyclist/Bicyclist/Pedestrian Can sustain primary and secondary injuries (the body impacts the vehicle and then impacts the ground)

Pedestrians Depends on the position of the patient when struck If struck from behind can have primary injuries to the back and back of the legs and secondary injuries to the head If struck from the side can have primary injuries to the lower legs and secondary injuries to the head, elbows and ribs If struck from the front can have primary injuries to the ribs and secondary injuries to the organs

Bicyclists Similar to the pedestrian injuries but primary injuries are usually lower on the body Secondary injuries are more severe because of the greater distance of fall from the bike

Motorcyclist Primary injuries are generally to the legs Secondary injuries occur when they hit the ground Injuries are similar to the bicyclist but more severe because of higher velocity

Examination Type and nature of injuries Height of fall in relation to the injury Damage to the clothing Vehicle damage (can be obtained from police and EMS) Medical history to determine possible causes