Patterns of head injuries in road traffic accidents

Abstract

During twenty month study period a total of 161 cases of medico-legal autopsies were conducted\rout of which 52 cases were of fatal road traffic accident at the mortuary of Basaveshwara Medical College\rand Research centre, Chitradurga, Karnataka. Among the age group 31 – 40 years, highest number\r(25%) of road traffic fatalities occurred. Males predominated over the female by seven and half times.\rMost of the accidents (75%) occurred on highways. The NH-4, NH-13 alone claimed 75% of all the\rmishaps. Motor cyclist occupants formed the largest group (28.84%) followed by the pedestrians (25%).\rMajority of the road users (98%) sustained fracture followed by laceration (94.23%), abrasion (82.69%)\rcontusion (76.92%) respectively. The heavy vehicles were found to be responsible for causing a majority\rof injuries, especially the skeletal injuries.\rKey Words: Fatal RTA, Pattern of injuries, Diurnal variation, Highway, Heavy motor vehicle