Cardiac Injuries in Car Occupants in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions – An Autopsy-Based Study

 An important research study below centers on fatal cardiac injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. It's important to note that fractured sternum in a driver can occur even while wearing a seat belt.

 Journal of Forensic & Legal Medicine 

by Elisabeth E. Turk, MDa, Yee-Wah Tsang, MDb, Anisha Champaneri, MDc, Klaus Pueschel, MDd, Roger W. Byard, MDe

Abstract 

Motor vehicle accidents contribute widely to population morbidity and mortality around the world, and cardiac injuries are a major factor determining outcome. Autopsy reports from 380 motor vehicle occupants who died in motor vehicle crashes in Adelaide, Australia, and Hamburg, Germany, over a 6-year period were reviewed, analysing the presence and type of cardiac injuries and their correlation with factors such as crash type, presence of seatbelt/airbag and vehicle speed as well as with the presence of other injuries which might predict the presence of cardiac injuries in a clinical setting. 21.1% had cardiac injuries identified macroscopically autopsy or histology. Cardiac injuries were the only cause of death or contributed to a fatal outcome in 76% of these cases. Sternal fractures and left-sided serial rib fractures were predictive of cardiac injury.

 

Comments

[Rebecca C]

This one gave me the shivers, having just been in a really bad car accident back in November (especially since the paramedics suspected that I had broken some ribs or my sternum). Very scary.

[Jared Everton]

Agreed! Car accident can be pretty terrifying. One of the worst parts is dealing with insurance claims while trying to overcome your injury. And if someone else caused the accident it can be quite a hassle seeking compensation. Definitely not something you want to deal with when recovering from the shock and injury of an accident.