The Significance of Injuries and Anatomical Patterns of Trauma in Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatalities and Their Association With Motor Vehicle Collision Dynamics and Post-Collision Kinematics

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Abstract and keywords

Deaths from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a major global health concern, with over 1.35 million fatalities reported annually by the United Nations. More than half involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Post-mortem examinations by pathologists determine the cause of death and mechanisms of injury and play a significant role in the investigation of the deaths of vulnerable road users.

The purpose of this study was to understand the injury patterns sustained by pedestrians and cyclists fatally injured in motor vehicle impacts.

This study reviews the development of injury patterns described in the medical literature and identifies their limitations in the context of the current motor vehicle fleet, which includes various types of vehicles such as vans, sports utility, and pickup trucks.

The main objectives of this research were to determine injury patterns in pedestrians and cyclists killed in MVCs and compare them with the historical or “classical triads”. The study also aimed to investigate factors related to pedestrian and cyclist kinematics, MVC dynamics, and vehicle type, maneuver, and speed on injury patterns. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to identify variables that were associated with specific serious to maximal injuries.

Data from 766 post-mortems done between 2013 and 2019 in Ontario were collected. There were 670 pedestrian fatalities and 96 cyclist fatalities. Distinct injury patterns emerged based on age groups, kinematics, vehicle type, vehicle maneuver, and speed. The findings highlighted variations in injury patterns between children, youth, adults, and the elderly, emphasizing the importance of considering age-specific factors when studying trauma.

Based on the multivariate logistic regression models, recommendations have been made to assist pathologists, coroners, and police collision reconstructionists in their analysis of fatal pedestrian and cyclist-MVCs.

Overall, this research contributes to a better understanding of the specific fatal injury patterns sustained by pedestrians and cyclists involved in MVCs. By considering collision dynamics, vehicle type, and other relevant factors, this study provides valuable insights for assisting MVC reconstruction and investigation, and postmortem assessment supporting future motor vehicle research and regulation in mitigating and preventing serious injuries.

Keywords: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs); Pedestrian fatalities; Cyclist fatalities; Trauma patterns; Injury mechanisms; Post-mortem examinations; Fatal triads; Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS); Collision dynamics; Vulnerable Road User (VRU); Kinematics; Injury data collection; Injury severity; Collision reconstruction; Pathologists; Coroner investigations

Cited Works (9)

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