While many of us like to avoid the thought of auto injuries, they are a reality. And though not very prevalent, fatalities do occur in crashes. Understanding the factors that lead to fatal auto injuries may be the difference between life and death.
The latest data has been released from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) regarding factors that contribute to fatal crashes from 2004-2008.
This report examines factors that contribute to fatal crashes involving a motor vehicle (e.g., car, truck, or bus)1. Accident level data was obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database for 2004-20082. Analysis of the FARS database shows:
- Single-vehicle crash fatalities are the most prevalent.
- The main factors in single-vehicle fatal crashes involve the functionality of traffic controls and the first harmful event in a crash (e.g., rollover, traffic barrier, or ditch).
- With regard to two-vehicle fatal crashes, main factors are traffic controls and the characteristics of the roadway (e.g., roadway alignment or surface type).
- In multi-vehicle (three or more) fatal crashes, road characteristics, vehicle speed, and road type (e.g., interstate or country road) are the main factors involved.
As a chiropractor in SE Portland, understanding factors such as these helps me every day in working with patients who have been in car crashes, and working with attorneys and insurance companies to make sure the needs or my patients are being me. If you've been in a crash, please give us a call to see how we can help.
