Orthopedic injuries in transportation disasters

Abstract

Accidents occur anytime and anywhere. They are sudden and unplanned and affect people of all ages and in all conditions of health. They happen due to direct or indirect application of force from mechanical, chemical, or thermal energy sources or a combination thereof. Injuries of various types and degrees of severity affecting one or more body regions occur in response to the type and duration of the applied force minus possible forms of protection. In addition to the physical consequences of an accident, various distinct psychological consequences may become manifest. Accidents may affect one individual or a few or several people or may result in mass casualties (so-called heavy casualty events) [1].