Using Crash Information to Improve the Treatment of Crash Injuries

This report examines whether there is evidence for the proposition that knowledge of the nature of a road crash aids in the treatment of injuries that arise from the crash. This paper examined published reports in which the utility of crash reports for triage was examined and reviewed the evidence in relation to chronic injury, concentrating on whiplash injury. There is evidence that crash reports and information about the crash can assist in triage decisions and, in one study, steering wheel deformation was a good predictor of abdominal injury which is hard to diagnose in some cases. There was little evidence in relation to the treatment of chronic injury, but indirect evidence suggests that crash parameters that can be established, such as the change in velocity, are a poor predictor of chronic complaints. Any perceived benefit of crash reports in the treatment of chronic symptoms may arise as a result of their use in counseling the patient.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Adelaide

    Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR)
    Adelaide, South Australia  Australia  5005

    Motor Accident Commission, South Australia

    GPO Box 1045
    Adelaide, South Australia  Australia  5001
  • Authors:
    • Versteegh, S L
    • Anderson, R W G
  • Publication Date: 2005-6

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 16p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01041498
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 1902947132
  • Report/Paper Numbers: CASR014
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jan 30 2007 1:31PM