Distribution and Pattern of Head Injuries in Fatal Road Traffic Accident Victims

Background: The only public health issue where youth death and impairment are still widely accepted by society and decision-makers is road traffic accidents. It is estimated that by 2020, road traffic accidents will claim the lives of around 1.9 million people yearly, killing about 3400 people every day worldwide. Low- and middle-income nations account for about 90% of RTA fatalities worldwide, while highly motorized nations only make up a small portion of that total despite housing more than 60% of all vehicles. RTAs are a significant epidemiological and medical-legal concern. In terms of morbidity and mortality, brain injuries are the most severe injuries that can result from traffic accidents. Aim: The aim of the study is distribution and pattern of head injuries in fatal road traffic accident victims. Material and Method: The current investigation was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and is a prospective study. For skull fractures arising from assault, railway accidents, road traffic accidents, injuries from firearms, and height falls, all autopsy cases were examined. Data and information in-depth regarding the instances were gathered. After being given the information, a post-mortem examination was carried out. Eighty fatal road traffic accident cases served as the basis for the data in the materials. At the time of autopsy, the condition of the scalp, cranial bones, meninges, intracranial hemorrhages, and brain parenchymal involvement were documented. Results: Road traffic accidents are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. 75 individuals had scalp injuries that were reported. In 5 cases, there were no scalp injuries. 60.0% of the victims—a total of 75—had contusions. Abrasions were only seen in 57.5% of cases, followed by lacerations in 67.5% of those. The majority of the scalp injuries occurred in the frontal region (51 injuries), then in the temporal (49 injuries), parietal (36 injuries), and occipital (11 injuries), in that order. Conclusion: The number of road accidents is rising alarmingly, which is costing society’s workers and resources. The majority of them are due to human mistake, and they can be avoided by spreading awareness of road safety among everyone. It was shown that cerebral bleeding caused death in the majority of patients, either directly or indirectly.http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJCPR/14/IJCPR,Vol14,Issue4,Article19.pd