Accident analysis to support the development of strategies for the prevention of brain injuries in car crashes
Journal article, 2018

This study estimated the frequency and risk of Moderate-to-Maximal traumatic brain injuries sustained by occupants in motor vehicle crashes in the US. National Automotive Sampling System - Crashworthiness Data System crashes that occurred in years 2001–2015 with light vehicles produced 2001 or later were incorporated in the study. Crash type, crash severity, car model year, belt usage and occupant age and sex were controlled for in the analysis. The results showed that Moderate concussions account for 79% of all MAIS brain 2+ injuries. Belted occupants were at lower risks than unbelted occupants for most brain injury categories, including concussions. After controlling for the effects of age and crash severity, belted female occupants involved in frontal crashes were estimated to be 1.5 times more likely to sustain a concussion than male occupants in similar conditions. Belted elderly occupants were found to be at 10.5 and 8 times higher risks for sub-dural haemorrhages than non-elderly belted occupants in frontal and side crashes, respectively. Adopted occupant protection strategies appear to be insufficient to achieve significant decreases in risk of both life-threatening brain injuries and concussions for all car occupants. Further effort to develop occupant and injury specific strategies for the prevention of brain injuries are needed. This study suggests that these strategies may consider prioritization of life-threatening brain vasculature injuries, particularly in elderly occupants, and concussion injuries, particularly in female occupants.

Traumatic brain injuries

NASS-CDS

Subdural haemorrhage

Concussion

Sex

Age

Author

Jacobo Antona-Makoshi

Japan Automobile Research Institute

Koji Mikami

Japan Automobile Research Institute

Mats Lindkvist

Umeå University

Johan Davidsson

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Vehicle Safety

Sylvia Schick

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

Accident Analysis and Prevention

0001-4575 (ISSN)

Vol. 117 98-105

Subject Categories

Environmental Health and Occupational Health

Forensic Science

Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2018.04.009

More information

Latest update

5/25/2018